tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-111505202024-02-20T20:28:00.888-06:00brandysextonBrandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07056739025138187208noreply@blogger.comBlogger542125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11150520.post-66824006187455071192023-08-24T16:17:00.004-05:002023-08-24T16:37:54.134-05:00Chores: What works for us<p>I have been thinking about how I approach delegating work around our house. I thought this info might be helpful to some of you as you think through these things for your family. None of this works perfectly in our home. I still need remind people to do their jobs. But overall, I am very happy with this approach. </p><p>I start by thinking of the things that totally clog up family life if they are not done. I delegate as much of those things as I can. And then, as I am able, I help out in those areas. This way the system is automated to work without me, but sometimes my kids go to do their chore and find it already done! Or sometimes I work alongside them. When I do pitch in, my kids feel that I am helping them. When I can't get to it, things still hum along.</p><p>By delegating I free myself up to be a more loving and available wife and mom and to do things that only I can do. </p><p>In our house, and most others I would guess, the kitchen, the laundry, and the trash are the three most important things to keep up with. So I put one person in charge of loading the dishwasher, one hand-washing the dishes, one wiping off the counters, one taking out the trash, and one doing all of the laundry. The laundry sounds like a big job (and it is!), but they enjoy having it because they can listen to audiobooks while they do it! The ones with the kitchen jobs are not allowed to have earbuds in because there are other people working with them. They play music or talk while they work.</p><p>I can hear you say, "What about cleaning the bathrooms or sweeping the floors?" Well, I do currently have a person that sweeps the whole upstairs every morning. But, we can keep going without the floors being swept. We can keep going if the toilet isn't sparkling inside. We can keep going if there are splatters on mirrors. But, we can't cook in the kitchen if it's a disaster. And we can't wear clothes if they are all dirty. And you can't throw something in the trash if the trash can is overflowing.</p><p>A few other things:</p><p>On Thursdays I do Room Checks. I got this idea when my oldest son went to college! This means that the people in each bedroom are in charge of tidying their room and cleaning their bathroom (and vacuuming and dusting on a good week). I require varying degrees of cleanliness in the bathroom. Occasionally I tell them to deep clean it. But usually, they hit the areas that NEED to be cleaned. Our house only needs to be as clean as we need it to be. I'm not going for a white glove inspection! I want it to feel, smell, and look clean. So the baseboards don't get wiped off every week. :0)</p><p>On Mondays we usually blitz the house. We put everything back in order after the weekend craziness and I make a list of whatever cleaning we need to do. I put the list on the buffet and people do something and cross it off as they finish it. That removes the need for me to nag people. If the house is really bad I will cut our morning circle time a little bit short to absorb the time the extra tidying takes so that it does not cut into the kids' personal school time. If we need to blitz the house and it is not Monday, I just let the kids know that I need everyone to work for 10 minutes. We can do a lot if we all work for 10 minutes!</p><p>I assign each person a jurisdiction. About once a day they put everything away in that area and make it very tidy. This will only work if you have a home for all of your stuff. They can't put things away if there is not a designated place that they belong. A place for everything and everything in it's place :0) Even if it is just a big bin, let the kids know where things go. When we are blitzing the house, people usually start with their jurisdiction.</p><p>When assigning a place for things, keep in mind what your family already does. I got this idea from <a href="https://www.amazon.com/House-That-Cleans-Itself-Solutions/dp/0736918809/ref=sr_1_3?crid=33O1OUKV7IA44&keywords=the+house+that+cleans+itself&qid=1692912974&sprefix=the+house+that+cleans+itself%2Caps%2C212&sr=8-3" target="_blank"><i>The House That Cleans Itself</i></a>. If you family always kicks their shoes off by the door put a big basket by the door to receive the shoes. This works better than trying to train everyone to take them to another room. </p><p>We do take all the trash out every day even if it is not full and even if it is not enough to fill up a trash bag. Using one whole trash bag every day to empty all the trash cans in the house is a small price to pay to have them emptied regularly to avoid overflowing trashcans and get rid of smelly trash. The two big ones in the kitchen get emptied as needed.</p><p>I have to remember to give jobs to the little kids as they get bigger. With a little training kids can learn to do a lot of things! But, if the house is really bad I let the tiniest kids play something in one area instead of trying to train them to clean. Sometimes train, sometimes do what works.</p><p>When blitzing the house, I recommend playing fun music! Remind people what a blessing it is to be in a tidy house where we are not tripping over things constantly. Thank and praise them!</p><p>Currently the list looks like this:</p><p><b>Morning Chores</b></p><p>Brooke (4): Feed and water dog</p><p>Zach (7): water plants outside</p><p>Olivia (8): put all clean dishes away</p><p>Oliver (11): take out all the trash</p><p>Remy (15): sweep all upstairs floors and spot mom as needed</p><p>Riley (17): gather all laundry from hampers and wash it</p><p><b>Kitchen Jobs (before meals and after meals)</b></p><p>Brooke: get silverware and clear the table (we all take our own dishes and help with big pots)</p><p>Zach: get serving utensils and wipe the table</p><p>Olivia: get cups and put clean dishes away</p><p>Oliver: get plates and load dishwasher and clean out sink</p><p>Remy: fill water pitcher and sweep floors and wipe off counters</p><p>Riley: fill 2nd water pitcher and hand wash all dishes and clean out 2nd sink</p><p><b>Jurisdictions</b></p><p>Brooke: mudroom </p><p>Zach: playroom and music room</p><p>Olivia: rec room and tile downstairs</p><p>Oliver: living room and entryway</p><p>Remy: porches, yard, and garage</p><p>Riley: school room and upstairs bathroom</p><p><br /></p><p>One last note. We only switch chores every 4-6 months. People get in a groove and it is easier to stick with what works instead of trying to remember who is doing what. </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07056739025138187208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11150520.post-21851986165470643932022-10-01T12:35:00.005-05:002022-10-03T23:41:54.309-05:00The Basics of My School System<p>I have settled on a system that is working well for us and I have discovered that I don't change it much from year to year. Here are the basics of my system.</p><p>Flippers are one main component of our schooling. They are small laminated cards hanging on a ribbon. The kids flip over each card when they have competed the subject listed on that card. Every year I just decide what work each flipper will represent, put it all on a list, show it to my child, and we are ready to go! Many of these just take a few minutes to do and some can be done at the same time.</p><p>Using the Charlotte Mason Method, I would rather do many short lessons so that the child's interests are constantly engaged. As they get older some subjects do take a good bit of time, but it is a good rule of thumb to ask for complete attention for a shorter amount of time instead of half attention for a very long lesson. When the mind gets tired it is a good idea to change to something different. This is even true for adults! For example, go from a reading lesson, to math, playing with a sibling, then back to a different reading lesson. They can tackle their flippers in any order they want to. </p><p>Here are the<i> flippers</i> that I use most years for the kids 2nd grade and up:</p><p><b>Before 9:00</b> There is a list in our living room that says: Make Bed, Read Bible, Pray, Drink Water, Exercise/Stretch, Morning Chore, Clean Your Body, Get Dressed, Reset Flippers (turn them back over).</p><p><b>Bible</b> The curriculum that the child is using this year (this is in addition to their daily Bible reading mentioned in the Before 9:00 list).</p><p><b>Scripture Memory</b> Pick a passage and tackle 1 or 2 verses per week</p><p><b>Greek</b> Hey Andrew Teach Me Some Greek and others beginning in 3rd grade</p><p><b>Math</b> Math U See or Saxon</p><p><b>Science</b> a variety</p><p><b>History Reader</b> A book at their reading level that goes along with what we are reading together in history.</p><p><b>Literature Reader</b> A book at their reading level that is good literature.</p><p><b>Assigned Reader</b> A book at their reading level about character, personal piety, or health. For the younger readers I will put Literature Reader and Assigned Reader on the same flipper and have them alternate days.</p><p><b>MCT</b> Michal Clay Thompson Language Arts (I do this with two kids at a time)</p><p><b>Writing</b> Every Friday they hand in an essay on the topic of their choice and read it aloud. The last Friday of the month they do a speech with only a few notes on a notecard. They work on these daily at an age appropriate level. Even my 3 year old wants to get up and read her paper! </p><p><b>Explode the Code/Italic</b> This is only for the kids 4th grade and down. I make a flipper with both of those on it and they alternate days.</p><p><b>Piano or Guitar</b> daily practice</p><p><b>Narration</b> Tell me about each book they are reading.</p><p><b>Copywork</b> Copy scripture, literature, or any quotes that are meaningful to them. They get more freedom in this as they get older.</p><p><b>Play with Marley</b> Jeremy wanted them to have this flipper because it ensures that our dog gets some attention!</p><p><b>15 Minutes Outside</b> They can do their schoolwork outside or play with Marley or a sibling. Anything counts...they just have to be outside.</p><p><b>Read to a younger sibling</b> Some read a board book to the baby. Others read chapter books to our 10 year old. They love this time!</p><p><b>20 minutes with Brooke or Zach</b> This is my built in babysitting and relationship building. It really blesses me to hear them say to one another, "Do you want to do 20 minutes?"</p><p>The other regular in our day is <b>Circle Time</b>. We do this from 9-10:30. Every day during that time we all go for a short walk outside, pray, read scripture and read aloud from a chapter book. I may also include one of the following:</p><p>Geography</p><p>Picture Study</p><p>Topical Bible Study from Doorposts</p><p>While I am reading aloud I let the kids do a puzzle, dot to dot, or legos. We barricade the baby in the rec room with us so he can crawl around and play with toys. They really enjoy this time!</p><p>In addition to doing MCT with two kids at a time, I read a portion of our TruthQuest History guide or a recommended history book to those same two kids. In this way I am guiding them through history and it goes along with the history reader that they are reading on their own.</p><p>I am using this checklist for my week. It has been so helpful!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMPVYIj0U-01QMwqFSRc8Cd7B-rcXaCaY3Zy5cB51WS0MzbxR_1MDDTrNEYx6zwOptoCJQadl0jpQ3mecepAhwJQADJ7Ln48vtzcIwjHQUli8O0mLXWaRNNO3CUlz6EnadkHAeH1cfWpdwlac9tBeqEk243EeLDVvNytK3co7amtWI2m6TQ/s4032/ABB88CA1-7A5D-45CC-AAD5-0E865E534067.heic" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMPVYIj0U-01QMwqFSRc8Cd7B-rcXaCaY3Zy5cB51WS0MzbxR_1MDDTrNEYx6zwOptoCJQadl0jpQ3mecepAhwJQADJ7Ln48vtzcIwjHQUli8O0mLXWaRNNO3CUlz6EnadkHAeH1cfWpdwlac9tBeqEk243EeLDVvNytK3co7amtWI2m6TQ/s320/ABB88CA1-7A5D-45CC-AAD5-0E865E534067.heic" width="240" /></a></div><br /><p>Many of the things on this list just take a few minutes, but it helps me to separate them out. I never get every single box checked in a week, but I do get a lot done and this list helps me do that. </p><p>The section at the bottom labeled <i>Afternoons</i> is full of suggestions for ways to spend the time well. I rarely remember to look at it or mark off things that we did, but I should! </p><p>These things are the backbone of my homeschool. I am thankful to have them in place. They keep me from having to start from scratch each year. I hope that they will be helpful to some of you reading this! The Lord bless you in your efforts to disciple and educate your children!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07056739025138187208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11150520.post-89792757809510392832022-10-01T10:44:00.003-05:002022-10-01T10:44:28.525-05:00Do not despise the short nature walk<p> I have always wanted to do nature walks. I have always felt guilty for not being better at fitting in nature study. Well, this year I have changed that! Everyday at 9:00 everyone has their shoes on and we go for a short walk down the road together. It takes 10-15 minutes. We don't have any planned curriculum. I don't direct anything, but we have noticed so many things! My kids often stop me to show me a pretty flower, a caterpillar slowly crossing the road, lovely clouds, or a new bird. This has been such an encouragement to me and has blessed all of us. It is a wonderful way to start our school day. Everyone gets a little bit of energy out, we get fresh air, and we get to chat for a bit about whatever is on our minds. The baby is happy in the stroller. The 3 year old walks on the way out and usually asks for a shoulder ride on the way back. I absolutely love doing this in the mornings.</p><p>It has been nice to notice how the same area changes with the seasons. We notice the new flowers, the different birds (or lack of birds), the wind, and the trees. Sometimes I remind the kids that God is so creative in making all of this variety.</p><p>So, if you are not sure what to do for nature study, just tell everyone that at 9:00 every morning you are going to walk down to the cut-de-sac, or walk to the end of the block, or to the bridge, or to the mailbox. Just pick a spot to walk to and do it every morning. And then open your eyes and your ears. Listen to your kids and start the day by connecting with them and with nature.</p>Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07056739025138187208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11150520.post-2011184397717914012020-05-29T00:22:00.001-05:002020-05-29T07:10:46.101-05:002020 School Post (Super Quick Edition)<div>
A friend asked me to jot down what we were doing for school in the coming year and so I thought it was about time to write it up here. It looks like I forgot to do it last year! Oops! Maybe sometime I will get around to looking back and jotting that down as well. For now...</div>
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<b>Summer School</b></div>
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We are not taking a real summer break. My big kids have some great work opportunities and we are building a house right now so we need more flexible time off than we need one huge chunk in the summer. But we are doing some things that are different this summer. Here is a quick rundown.</div>
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Bible (wrapping up Bible Road Trip Year 1 and doing misc Bible studies)</div>
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<a href="https://trimhealthyyou.net/product/intermediate-curriculum/" target="_blank">Trim Healthy You </a>(oldest 4 kids)</div>
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<a href="https://www.daveramsey.com/school/homeschool/highschool" target="_blank">Foundations of Personal Finance</a> (oldest 4 kids)</div>
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<a href="https://artisticpursuits.com/" target="_blank">Artistic Pursuits</a> (Riley, Remy, Oliver, Olivia, and Zach in 3 different levels once or twice a week)</div>
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Cooking-- I am making it a priority to have the kids cook with me and cook meals on their own.</div>
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Exercise-- the boys are all over this :0)</div>
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Work--taking the many work opportunities that present themselves with family and neighbors.</div>
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<a href="https://geomatters.com/products/trail-guide-to-world-geography" target="_blank">Trail Guide to World Geography</a> and these <a href="https://geomatters.com/products/trail-guide-to-world-geography-student-notebook" target="_blank">Notebooks</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.dianawaring.com/store/world-empires-world-missions-world-wars/" target="_blank">History Revealed World Empires, World Missions, World Wars</a> (I LOVE THIS!)</div>
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Greek (details below)</div>
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Catechism--I wrote one based on the ideas in <a href="https://www.circeinstitute.org/store/books/something-they-will-not-forget-handbook-classical-teachers" target="_blank">this book</a> but I made it my own.</div>
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Read Aloud <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Hobbit-Lord-Rings-Fellowship-Towers/dp/0345538374/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=lord+of+the+rings&qid=1590727084&sr=8-6" target="_blank">The Lord of the Rings</a></div>
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Teaching Reading to Oliver and Olivia</div>
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<a href="https://welltrainedmind.com/c/history-geography/story-of-the-world/volume-1-ancient-times/?v=7516fd43adaa" target="_blank">Story of the World</a> with Oliver, Olivia, and Zach</div>
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<a href="https://www.milestonebooks.com/item/20-5--/" target="_blank">School Time with the Millers</a> Oliver, Olivia and Zach</div>
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<b>2020 School Year</b></div>
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All the kids have Daddy School with Jeremy in the morning one or two mornings a week for 30 minutes or so (the older 4 in one group and the younger 3 in another group, Brooke hasn't started yet since she is only 18 months :0). He works on Bible Drills, Theology, Catechism, and Scripture Memory. Sometimes they just go on tangents and talk about the Bible and how it applies to life.</div>
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Aiden 12th grade</div>
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<a href="https://www.dianawaring.com/store/world-empires-world-missions-world-wars/" target="_blank">History Revealed World Empires, World Missions, World Wars</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.apologia.com/homeschool-high-school-physics/" target="_blank">Apologia Physics</a></div>
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<a href="https://store.demmelearning.com/math-u-see/secondary-math/precalculus" target="_blank">Math U See PreCalculus</a></div>
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<a href="https://geomatters.com/products/trail-guide-to-world-geography" target="_blank">Trail Guide to World Geography</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.thinkingkidsblog.org/bible-road-trip-year-two/" target="_blank">Bible Road Trip Year 2</a></div>
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<a href="https://answersingenesis.org/store/product/world-religions-and-cults-boxed-set/?sku=90-7-816" target="_blank">World Religions and Cults books 2 and 3</a></div>
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<a href="https://momdelights.com/index.php/2020/03/15/homeschooling-with-the-mcguffey-readers-and-the-lesson-book/" target="_blank">McGuffey Reader 6 and Lesson book</a></div>
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Greek (Still deciding what to use)</div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/ACT-Prep-Black-Book-Strategies/dp/0692027912" target="_blank">ACT Prep</a> with <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Official-ACT-Prep-Guide-2018/dp/1119386896/ref=pd_lpo_14_t_2/137-2460094-1751348?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1119386896&pd_rd_r=1ba36898-ee4f-4b81-89db-87da8cb75891&pd_rd_w=lIaf1&pd_rd_wg=eDMIe&pf_rd_p=7b36d496-f366-4631-94d3-61b87b52511b&pf_rd_r=K5PK285HV6GTN2TCTR42&psc=1&refRID=K5PK285HV6GTN2TCTR42" target="_blank">this too</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.rfwp.com/pages/michael-clay-thompson/" target="_blank">Michael Clay Thompson Grammar/Writing only</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/0671027034" target="_blank">How to Win Friends and Influence People</a></div>
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Alex 11th grade</div>
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<a href="https://www.dianawaring.com/store/world-empires-world-missions-world-wars/" target="_blank">History Revealed World Empires, World Missions, World Wars</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.apologia.com/product/anatomy-physiology-textbook/" target="_blank">Exploring Creation with Anatomy and Physiology</a> </div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Introduction-Logic-Jason-Lisle/dp/1683441486/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=logic+lisle&qid=1590728213&s=books&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Introduction to Logic by Jason Lisle</a></div>
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<a href="https://geomatters.com/products/trail-guide-to-world-geography" target="_blank">Trail Guide to World Geography</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.thinkingkidsblog.org/bible-road-trip-year-two/" target="_blank">Bible Road Trip Year 2</a></div>
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<a href="https://answersingenesis.org/store/product/world-religions-and-cults-boxed-set/?sku=90-7-816" target="_blank">World Religions and Cults books 2 and 3</a></div>
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<a href="https://momdelights.com/index.php/2020/03/15/homeschooling-with-the-mcguffey-readers-and-the-lesson-book/" target="_blank">McGuffey Reader 5 and Lesson Book</a></div>
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Greek (Still deciding what to use)</div>
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<a href="https://store.demmelearning.com/math-u-see/secondary-math/geometry" target="_blank">Math U See Geometry</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/ACT-Prep-Black-Book-Strategies/dp/0692027912" target="_blank">ACT Prep</a> with <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Official-ACT-Prep-Guide-2018/dp/1119386896/ref=pd_lpo_14_t_2/137-2460094-1751348?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=1119386896&pd_rd_r=1ba36898-ee4f-4b81-89db-87da8cb75891&pd_rd_w=lIaf1&pd_rd_wg=eDMIe&pf_rd_p=7b36d496-f366-4631-94d3-61b87b52511b&pf_rd_r=K5PK285HV6GTN2TCTR42&psc=1&refRID=K5PK285HV6GTN2TCTR42" target="_blank">this too</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.rfwp.com/pages/michael-clay-thompson/" target="_blank">Michael Clay Thompson Grammar/Writing only</a></div>
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Jerry Bridges book to be determined</div>
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Riley 9th grade</div>
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<a href="https://www.dianawaring.com/store/world-empires-world-missions-world-wars/" target="_blank">History Revealed World Empires, World Missions, World Wars</a></div>
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<a href="https://answersingenesis.org/store/product/gods-design-life-complete-set-2016/?sku=13-1-061" target="_blank">Answers in Genesis Physics</a> I have an older version of this that has more to do with physics<br />
Other Physics Resources (He LOVES this!)</div>
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<a href="https://geomatters.com/products/trail-guide-to-world-geography" target="_blank">Trail Guide to World Geography</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.thinkingkidsblog.org/bible-road-trip-year-two/" target="_blank">Bible Road Trip Year 2</a><br />
<a href="https://answersingenesis.org/store/product/world-religions-and-cults-boxed-set/?sku=90-7-816" target="_blank">World Religions and Cults book 1</a></div>
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<a href="https://momdelights.com/index.php/2020/03/15/homeschooling-with-the-mcguffey-readers-and-the-lesson-book/" target="_blank">McGuffey Reader 4 and Lesson Book</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.greeknstuff.com/andrew.html" target="_blank">Greek</a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.teachingtextbooks.com/v/vspfiles/tt/Algebra1.htm" target="_blank">Teaching Textbooks Algebra</a> (I have my kids take Algebra 1 twice since it is foundational to so many other things. TT is not my favorite since it is all on the computer, but it is easy to use and I don't mind to use it as a supplement to Math U See Algebra.)</div>
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<a href="https://www.rfwp.com/pages/michael-clay-thompson/" target="_blank">Michael Clay Thompson Grammar/Writing only</a></div>
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Other Assigned Reading about science and devotional life</div>
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Remy 7th Grade</div>
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<a href="https://www.dianawaring.com/store/world-empires-world-missions-world-wars/" target="_blank">History Revealed World Empires, World Missions, World Wars</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.apologia.com/product/anatomy-physiology-textbook/" target="_blank">Exploring Creation with Anatomy and Physiology</a> and </div>
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<a href="https://www.apologia.com/product/zoology-2-swimming-creatures-textbook/" target="_blank">Exploring Creation with Zoology 2: Swimming Creatures of the Fifth Day</a></div>
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<a href="https://geomatters.com/products/trail-guide-to-world-geography" target="_blank">Trail Guide to World Geography</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.thinkingkidsblog.org/bible-road-trip-year-two/" target="_blank">Bible Road Trip Year 2</a></div>
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<a href="https://momdelights.com/index.php/2020/03/15/homeschooling-with-the-mcguffey-readers-and-the-lesson-book/" target="_blank">McGuffey Reader 3 and Lesson Book</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.greeknstuff.com/andrew.html" target="_blank">Greek</a></div>
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<a href="https://store.demmelearning.com/math-u-see/secondary-math/prealgebra" target="_blank">Math U See PreAlgebra</a> </div>
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<a href="https://www.rfwp.com/pages/michael-clay-thompson/" target="_blank">Michael Clay Thompson Grammar/Writing only</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.rainbowresource.com/product/NATRDR/Nature-Readers-Complete-Set.html?" target="_blank">Nature Readers from Christian Liberty Press</a></div>
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<a href="https://rushrevere.com/" target="_blank">Rush Revere Books</a></div>
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Oliver 2nd Grade</div>
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<a href="https://welltrainedmind.com/c/history-geography/story-of-the-world/volume-1-ancient-times/?v=7516fd43adaa" target="_blank">Story of the World Book 1</a></div>
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<a href="https://answersingenesis.org/store/product/gods-design-life-complete-set-2016/?sku=13-1-061" target="_blank">Answers in Genesis Biology</a> I have an older edition. We just do the small "beginner" section.</div>
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<a href="https://www.christianbook.com/artistic-pursuits-elementary-stories-artists-their/brenda-ellis/9781939394026/pd/394026?event=CPOF" target="_blank">Artistic Pursuits K-3 Book 2</a></div>
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<a href="https://geomatters.com/products/trail-guide-to-world-geography" target="_blank">Trail Guide to World Geography</a><br />
<a href="https://www.thinkingkidsblog.org/bible-road-trip-year-two/" target="_blank">Bible Road Trip Year 2</a></div>
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<a href="https://store.demmelearning.com/math-u-see/general-math/beta" target="_blank">Math U See Beta</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.rainbowresource.com/product/008297/Primary-Language-Lessons.html" target="_blank">Primary Language Lessons</a></div>
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<a href="https://momdelights.com/index.php/2020/03/15/homeschooling-with-the-mcguffey-readers-and-the-lesson-book/" target="_blank">McGuffey Reader 1 and Lesson Book</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.rainbowresource.com/product/008253/Ordinary-Parents-Guide-to-Teaching-Reading-Paperback.html?" target="_blank">Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading</a></div>
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<a href="https://momdelights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/To-the-Top-Free-Reading-Program-.pdf" target="_blank">To the Top Reading Flashcards</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Uncovering-Logic-English-Common-Sense-Approach/dp/1936706210" target="_blank">Teach Rules from the Logic of English</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.milestonebooks.com/item/20-5--/" target="_blank">Millers Stories</a></div>
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Olivia Kindergarten</div>
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<a href="https://welltrainedmind.com/c/history-geography/story-of-the-world/volume-1-ancient-times/?v=7516fd43adaa" target="_blank">Story of the World Book 1</a> (coloring pages and read aloud)</div>
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<a href="https://answersingenesis.org/store/product/gods-design-life-complete-set-2016/?sku=13-1-061" target="_blank">Answers in Genesis Biology</a> I have an older edition. We just do the small "beginner" section.</div>
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<a href="https://www.christianbook.com/artistic-pursuits-elementary-stories-artists-their/brenda-ellis/9781939394026/pd/394026?event=CPOF" target="_blank">Artistic Pursuits K-3 Book 2</a><br />
<a href="https://www.thinkingkidsblog.org/bible-road-trip-year-two/" target="_blank">Bible Road Trip Year 2</a></div>
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<a href="https://momdelights.com/index.php/2020/03/15/homeschooling-with-the-mcguffey-readers-and-the-lesson-book/" target="_blank">McGuffey Reader Primer and Lesson Book</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.rainbowresource.com/product/008253/Ordinary-Parents-Guide-to-Teaching-Reading-Paperback.html?" target="_blank">Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading</a></div>
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<a href="https://momdelights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/To-the-Top-Free-Reading-Program-.pdf" target="_blank">To the Top Reading Flashcards</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Uncovering-Logic-English-Common-Sense-Approach/dp/1936706210" target="_blank">Teach Rules from the Logic of English</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.milestonebooks.com/item/20-5--/" target="_blank">Millers Stories</a></div>
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Misc Activites</div>
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Zach Preschool</div>
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<a href="https://welltrainedmind.com/c/history-geography/story-of-the-world/volume-1-ancient-times/?v=7516fd43adaa" target="_blank">Story of the World Book 1</a> (coloring pages and read aloud)</div>
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<a href="https://www.christianbook.com/book-every-parent-about-children-make/brenda-ellis/9781939394002/pd/394002?event=ESRCN|M" target="_blank">Artistic Pursuits The Way They See It</a><br />
<a href="https://www.thinkingkidsblog.org/bible-road-trip-year-two/" target="_blank">Bible Road Trip Year 2</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.milestonebooks.com/item/20-5--/" target="_blank">Millers Stories</a></div>
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Misc Activities<br />
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Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07056739025138187208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11150520.post-37523541799625798082020-02-02T22:58:00.001-06:002020-02-02T23:04:48.450-06:00Recommendations for Kindergarten and First GradeIt's really fun to get started homeschooling! But, there is so much out there that you have to sift through. Here are some recommendations as you begin.<br />
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<b>Figure out what style of curriculum you can use well (one that is written the way that you think).</b> For years I wanted books that had 1 lesson per day so that I would know exactly what was expected. I could always do something different, but I knew what a normal progression would look like. I did not like (as much :0) when a book suggested that I could spend "a week or two on a lesson." I did not know how this would look day to day. Find something that is laid out in a way you can understand. A variety of options could work well for your kids if you, as the teacher, are having fun, energetic, able to know what is going on, and able to communicate it to your child with patience.<br />
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<b>Figure out how your kids learn.</b> If you have an extremely energetic boy who wants to climb the walls all the time do not expect him to sit and do workbooks all day. If you have a kid that wants to get done quickly with school don't drag it on and on with fancy games if he would rather do a black and white math sheet. This requires insight. I am a big fan of giving kids freedom and being fun about when and where school happens. However, little kids need the skill of sitting still and focusing on a task. Do some of both. Work with them as much as you can and stretch them some to strengthen the things they are not good at. Familiarize yourself with learning styles but don't box your kids in. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Big-What-Book-Learning-Styles/dp/1932096604" target="_blank">This</a> is a helpful guide.<br />
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<b>Establish cheerful, exact, first time obedience.</b> I know at this point you are looking for an actual book recommendation, but these things are truly more important as you get started. Your older kids will set the tone for your home. If you can cheerfully require them to do what you ask them to do, the first time with a good attitude it will make all of your homeschooling years much easier and more fun. So, be very clear about what you are asking them to do. Make them stop and look you in the eye. Ask them to repeat it if you think they need that. Then discipline them (sweetly and kindly) every time that they don't do it (when you can...sometimes life makes it hard to do EVERY time :0). I said exact above because sometimes they will do a version of what you asked, but it is obvious to them and you that they are still trying to keep control and not do exactly what you are asking. The discipline could be a spanking (if it is willful disobedience), or, if you have a compliant-but-spacey kid that just has trouble remembering what you say, then you could have them run a lap around the house or go to their room and sit there for 5 minutes, or clean something. Anything to shake them out of their slumber and make them realize that they need to obey. Praise your kids tons when they obey and do a good job!! They need to get more attention when obeying than when disobeying.<br />
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<b>Create a fun learning environment!</b> Get out paints, spend money on good books, bring the things they find outdoors in and set them on your table. Hang up their drawings. Draw with them. Play scrabble with them as they sound out 3 letter words. Go on field trips everywhere. Just try to be fun. This is always a challenge. When you have all little ones it can seem like there are no big helpers and you are exhausted. When your older ones get bigger then you have "more important things" that can't fall through the cracks so you quit fitting in the fun things with your littles. But, making time to create a fun learning environment should be a huge priority. Let go of decor a little and hang up maps and other cool learning things if you your kids get into it.<br />
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Now, for a few recommendations for what to use.<br />
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Bible. It's by far the most important thing to teach them. The fear of the Lord is the BEGINNING of wisdom and knowledge. I said elsewhere that if they have read tons of great literature, but don't love the Lord, His Word, and their neighbor then we are missing the boat. Use the <a href="https://thebibleproject.com/explore/" target="_blank">Bible Project animated videos</a> (they are amazing!), Bible Story Books, and printable resources like <a href="https://thinkingkidspress.com/collections/family-discipleship-tools/products/jesus-is-banner-with-daily-devotions-for-kids" target="_blank">this</a> or like <a href="https://proverbialhomemakerstore.com/" target="_blank">these</a>. Teach them anything you can about the Bible so that they know it as well as possible. Use Proverbs a lot and use songs a lot! We love the <a href="https://singtheword.com/" target="_blank">Harrow Family</a>, <a href="https://solmusic.ca/" target="_blank">Jamie Soles</a>, and <a href="https://slugsandbugs.com/" target="_blank">Randall Goodgame</a>. I have only heard the albums by Randall Goodgame and have not seen the videos yet. Dance around with them and sing them.<br />
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I have used <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ordinary-Parents-Guide-Teaching-Reading/dp/0972860312/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505443432&sr=1-1&keywords=ordinary+parents+guide+to+teaching+reading" target="_blank">The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading</a> for all of my kids (after trying a few other things first). I also use the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Leapfrog-Factory-Roy-Allen-Smith/dp/B018N0JXGU/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=letter+factory&qid=1580698580&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Leap Frog Letter Factory DVD</a> and skip the first 26 lessons in The Ordinary Parent's Guide. I don't recommend lots of videos, but if you are going to do 1 a day make it something really useful that teaches phonics or Bible. You could also use <a href="http://momdelights.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/To-the-Top-Free-Reading-Program-.pdf" target="_blank">this free guide</a> that I am using with one of mine right now. We just needed to change it up. This is only 52 pages and it has been fun! I recommend focusing on one kid at a time when teaching reading. Let the oldest get pretty solid before you start adding the next one in. It can be very discouraging if a younger sibling passes the older one. But also don't get stressed if it takes a while for someone to "get it". My latest reader is one of my best readers. <br />
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The <a href="https://www.rainbowresource.com/product/019178/McGuffeys-Eclectic-Primer-Revised.html?" target="_blank">Revised McGuffey Readers.</a> I don't use this to teach reading, but after they are reading a little bit these are terrific resources for copywork, narration, dictation, spelling, and drawing. Especially when used in conjunction with these <a href="https://momdelights.com/index.php/2018/01/20/how-to-do-a-primary-language-arts-lesson-with-the-lesson-book/" target="_blank">Lesson Books.</a> I love this system!<br />
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We have never been part of a Classical Conversations co-op, but we have used their memory work at home. We have enjoyed the <a href="https://classicalconversationsbooks.com/collections/foundations" target="_blank">history sentences</a> (set to a song) from cycles 1-3 and the <a href="https://music.apple.com/album/1460283966?app=itunes&ls=1" target="_blank">timeline song</a> and cards that go with it.<br />
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I have used the <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nPPei_V-x1tKURTQ6InmFSmFXuRNH3t91B_1ZYtlPgE/edit#gid=1434456495" target="_blank">Ambleside Online booklist</a> and love it though I might do things in later grades than they suggest.<br />
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My kids LOVE <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Storytime-Millers-Mildred-Martin/dp/1884377009/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505443400&sr=1-1&keywords=storytime+with+the+millers" target="_blank">Storytime with the Millers</a> and all of the others in the series.<br />
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I have used the <a href="https://www.rainbowresource.com/product/EC14O2/Explode-the-Code-Books-1-4-no-1-2s-2nd-Edition.html?" target="_blank">Explode the Code</a> series and I think it has reinforced things that I teach them in other ways. There are also books A, B, and C that go before books 1-4 if you want to start them in something easier. Those 3 are more pre-reading.<br />
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<a href="http://mathusee.com/" target="_blank">Math U See</a> is great.<br />
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Read aloud as much as you can! Read everything to them. This really helps when they begin reading because they are used to the flow of written language and can anticipate what the next word might be. It is also just lots of fun and a good way to educate them on a variety of topics. Let them play with blocks or color as long as they are not too loud. This will never look perfect and it will always be interrupted! But just keep plugging along. Read stuff at their level, just above, funny stuff, non-fiction, and really good literature.<br />
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Make them go outside (with you and without you) and start learning about nature together. <a href="https://ourjourneywestward.com/free-naturexplorers-lessons/" target="_blank">These</a> are great!<br />
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I started off reading the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Three-Rs-Ruth-Beechick/dp/0880620749/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+three+r%27s&qid=1580698082&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Three R's</a>. You could only get this one book and have everything you needed if it was up your alley. I wanted something a little more structured, but the ideas here are great!<br />
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You could use <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Montessori-Home-Guide-Inspired-Activities/dp/1537303619/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505443357&sr=1-1&keywords=montessori+at+home+guide" target="_blank">Montessori</a>. I think this is especially helpful for boys because it challenges them to sit and do an activity precisely, but they are very quick. This book will help your kids learn to do things for themselves that will help you.<br />
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We have also used <a href="https://www.mfwbooks.com/" target="_blank">My Father's World</a> and <a href="https://www.sonlight.com/?gclid=CjwKCAiAg9rxBRADEiwAxKDTusX9nSqt8J1-Jz3VOstdApjeSkdIY_iQr1Zb3gsCTu5_l0azFV_J9xoCa4EQAvD_BwE" target="_blank">Sonlight</a> at different times and enjoyed them when we did. <br />
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Last, but not least, pray all through this process. Ask for divine guidance and insight and He will give it to you!Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07056739025138187208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11150520.post-45671727302331793222020-02-02T00:02:00.001-06:002020-02-02T00:02:28.156-06:00Answer to a friend thinking about homeschooling...As for whether it's a good fit and any hesitations you might have I would love to talk in person about that sometime! There are so many considerations and each family is so unique that I think it's best to address your specific needs and challenges as a family instead of giving general info.<br />
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As for curriculum... It sounds like you need very efficient schooling where you are able to boil it down to the basics (and add on as you are able). It also sounds like you are looking for things that have one lesson after another instead of requiring a lot of creativity and figuring things out as you go. I'm just going to type my ideas as they come into my head. I will give specific books to look at so you can start somewhere. I use a little Charlotte Mason, a little classical, and a little delight directed studies. I change things up all the time.</div>
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One thing to consider is that you really only have 2 that need lots of schooling. The others need to be learning of course and need structure. But as far as pressure to educate...just focus on the older two for now. I don't start Kindergarten until my kids are 6. So, for the younger ones you can organize some time for them to do activities (like the ones in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Preschoolers-Busy-Book-Creative-Activities/dp/0671316338/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=preschool+busy+book&qid=1580619550&sr=8-3">this book</a>), give them tons of time to play inside and outside, read aloud to them as much as you can, work on obedience (you can't homeschool very easily if your kids won't cheerfully do what you ask them to do:0), teach them to play independently and be content. If some of them are interested in reading you can use <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ordinary-Parents-Guide-Teaching-Reading/dp/0972860312/ref=sr_1_1?crid=8ER0ILF3ST4&keywords=ordinary+parents+guide+to+teaching+reading&qid=1580619180&sprefix=ordinary+parents+guide+to+%2Caps%2C827&sr=8-1">The Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading</a>. My kids all liked <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Leapfrog-Factory-Roy-Allen-Smith/dp/B018N0JXGU/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=the+letter+factory&qid=1580619414&sr=8-2">The Letter Factory</a> so I skipped the first 26 lessons in the Ordinary Parent's Guide that introduce letter sounds. I don't recommend using videos too much, but if you do use 1 a day make it count to teach letter sounds or Bible truths.</div>
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Now, back to the big kids. There are 4 areas that you can think about in education: 1. Your kids in relation to God and man (the most important area to know about). 2. Skill areas in which you have to learn how to do something (Language Arts and Math) 3. Content Areas in which you learn information(Science and History) 4. Life Skills (how to cook, balance a checkbook, have a good work ethic).</div>
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Area 1. Use the Bible and especially Proverbs. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge. Also tackle character issues as they come up and deal with them biblically. This truly is the most important curriculum that you can teach your kids. What good is it if they have read all the Great Books but don't love the Lord, love His Word and love their neighbor?</div>
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Area 2. For Language Arts You Could use the <a href="https://www.rainbowresource.com/product/035463/McGuffeys-Second-Eclectic-Reader-Revised.html?">McGuffey's Second Eclectic Reader</a> with <a href="http://momdelights.com/index.php/2018/01/29/how-to-use-the-lesson-book-level-two-and-level-three/">this level 2 Lesson Book</a> or if they are more advanced than that use the <a href="https://www.rainbowresource.com/product/035551/McGuffeys-Third-Eclectic-Reader-Revised.html?">Third Reader</a> and the 3rd Lesson book. The Beauty of this approach (that I learned from <a href="http://momdelights.com/">this mom of 15)</a> is that it provides structure for Copywork, Narration, Dictation, Spelling, and Drawing using good literature that is already picked out for you. It's accessible, but the language is elevated so that you get a lot of bang for your buck. Easy! If you wanted something different you could look at </div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/First-Language-Lessons-Well-Trained-Mind/dp/1933339454/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=First+language+lessons&qid=1580620579&sr=8-3">First Language Lessons</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Complete-Writer-Level-Workbook-Writing/dp/1933339292/ref=sr_1_3?keywords=Writing+with+ease&qid=1580621527&s=books&sr=1-3">Writing with Ease</a> (whatever level you think they are ready for). For Math you could do <a href="https://www.mathusee.com/">Math U See</a>.</div>
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Area 3. You can just start off by assigning them readers. Let them pick something they would love to learn about in Science, read a good solid book about it then tell you about the book. They have to read 1 chapter from the book each day. For history assign them a biography and have them read 1 chapter per day and tell you about it. You could use the book suggestions on <a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nPPei_V-x1tKURTQ6InmFSmFXuRNH3t91B_1ZYtlPgE/edit#gid=1434456495">Ambleside Online</a>, but you might want to use books suggested for lower grades to start off. Or you could use <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Story-World-History-Classical-Renaissance/dp/1933339098/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=Story+of+the+World&qid=1580621887&s=books&sr=1-2">Story of the World</a>. and <a href="https://www.apologia.com/product-category/young-explorer-series/?product-type=textbook">Apologia Young Explorers Series</a>.</div>
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Area 4. Just include your kids in your life. As you need to cook, teach them how (maybe one at a time if it's easier). When you need to fix something let them watch or help. Talk to them about money. Talk to them about adult decisions.</div>
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This is a lot to think about. Write back if you have specific questions! Homeschooling is lots of work, but I love it!</div>
Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07056739025138187208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11150520.post-46412628896260130192018-07-25T22:48:00.000-05:002018-07-26T08:32:17.330-05:00School Post 2018I keep meaning to come back later in the year and post what we actually ended up doing! Each year after we start we decide what is working and what is not. We adjust and get in a groove.<br />
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This year I am doing my school post after we have been doing school for a month so I think it should be pretty accurate. <br />
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Aiden is in 10th grade, Alex is in 9th grade, Riley is in 7th grade,
Remy is in 5th grade, Oliver is in Kindergarten, Olivia is 3 and Zach is
nearly 2. We have another little girl due in October! <br />
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This is what we are doing.<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Everyone</b></span><br />
<b><a href="https://thebibleproject.com/" target="_blank">The Bible Project</a></b> All of our readers are using this to read through the Bible in a year. Everyone reads on their own in the morning and we watch the videos together now and then. The plan to read the Bible in a Year is found when you scroll down on this main page.<br />
<a href="https://store.generations.org/products/what-does-the-bible-say-about-that?variant=23522678275" target="_blank"><b>What Does the Bible Say About That </b></a><br />
<b><a href="https://biblicalevangelism.com/" target="_blank">School of Biblical Evangelism</a></b> We are doing this together as a family. They allowed us to pay the $150 enrollment fee and use the curriculum for our whole family.<br />
<b>Read Alouds</b> This year we plan to work through the <a href="https://store.generations.org/products/great-christian-adventures-set" target="_blank">Great Christian Adventures</a> (Swiss Family Robinson, Titus:A Comrade of the Cross, and The Life of Henry Martyn) as well as <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Chronicles-Narnia-Box-Set-Lewis/dp/0061992887/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1532570986&sr=1-2&keywords=narnia" target="_blank">The Chronicles of Narnia</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Trumpet-Swan-full-color/dp/0064410943/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1532571027&sr=1-1&keywords=trumpet+of+the+swan" target="_blank">The Trumpet of the Swan</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Robinson-Crusoe-Daniel-Defoe/dp/1981021183/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1532571060&sr=1-2-spons&keywords=robinson+crusoe&psc=1" target="_blank">Robinson Crusoe</a><br />
<b>Flash Cards </b>I just drill one big boy per day with different kinds of flash cards.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Aiden and Alex</b></span><br />
<b><a href="http://videotext.com/algebra-a-complete-course/" target="_blank">Video Text Algebra</a></b><a href="http://videotext.com/algebra-a-complete-course/" target="_blank"> </a>(Aiden only)<b> </b><br />
<b><a href="http://teachingtextbooks.com/v/vspfiles/tt/Algebra1.htm" target="_blank">Teaching Textbooks Algebra</a></b> (Alex only)<b> </b><br />
<b><a href="https://compassclassroom.com/shop/product/devotional-biology/" target="_blank">Devotional Biology</a></b> and <a href="https://compassclassroom.com/shop/product/devotional-biology-lab-materials/" target="_blank">labs</a><br />
<b><a href="https://store.generations.org/products/great-christian-classics-3rd-edition" target="_blank">Great Christian Classics</a></b><br />
<b><a href="https://www.rfwp.com/pages/michael-clay-thompson/" target="_blank">Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts</a></b><br />
<b><a href="https://store.generations.org/products/kickstart-launch-your-life" target="_blank">Kickstart</a></b><br />
<b><a href="https://store.generations.org/products/holiness" target="_blank">Holiness</a></b><br />
<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Basics-Biblical-Grammar-William-Mounce/dp/0310287685/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1532572263&sr=1-1&keywords=basics+of+biblical+greek" target="_blank">Basics of Biblical Greek</a></b> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Basics-Biblical-Workbook-William-Mounce/dp/0310287677/ref=pd_bxgy_14_2?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=0310287677&pd_rd_r=F2WZESY17A7TKQYWTV1C&pd_rd_w=HMW9C&pd_rd_wg=NPxb5&psc=1&refRID=F2WZESY17A7TKQYWTV1C" target="_blank">workbook</a> <br />
<b>Narration </b>Telling me about what they read or writing an essay about it.<br />
<b>Recitation</b> Memorizing verses from the School of Biblical Evangelism and What Does the Bible Say About That<br />
<b>Piano Lessons </b><br />
<b>Record</b> They each have to write down what they did in each subject every day. This is not detailed, but helps us keep track of how much school we do every day.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Riley and Remy</b></span><br />
<b><a href="https://mathusee.com/parents/" target="_blank">Math U See</a></b> Epsilon for Remy and Pre-Algebra for Riley <br />
<b><a href="http://www.greeknstuff.com/andrew.html" target="_blank">Hey Andrew Teach Me Some Greek</a></b><br />
<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Exploring-Creation-Zoology-Educational-Ministries/dp/1932012613/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1532571169&sr=1-1&keywords=exploring+creation+with+flying" target="_blank">Exploring Creation with Zoology 1: Flying Creatures of the 5th Day</a></b> (with Oliver) I am also using <a href="https://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/034871" target="_blank">this simple schedule</a> for it. It was worth the few dollars to have things divided up neatly for me.<br />
<b><a href="https://www.rfwp.com/pages/michael-clay-thompson/" target="_blank">Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts</a></b><br />
<b><a href="https://store.generations.org/products/historys-heroes-set" target="_blank">History's Heroes and Trial and Triumph</a></b><br />
<b><a href="http://www.linguisystems.com/products/product/display?itemid=10039" target="_blank">Auditory Processing</a></b> (Riley only)<br />
<b><a href="http://www.doorposts.com/details.aspx?id=17" target="_blank">Plants Grown Up</a></b> They choose things to work on from the book for about 15 minutes per day. <br />
<b>Narration</b> Telling me about what they read or writing an essay about it.<br />
<b>Recitation</b> Memorizing verses from the School of Biblical Evangelism and What Does the Bible Say About That<br />
<b>Piano Lessons </b><br />
<b>Record</b> They each have to write down what they did in each subject every
day. This is not detailed, but helps us keep track of how much school
we do every day.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Oliver, Olivia and Zach</b></span><br />
<b>Read 2 picture books</b> to them<br />
<b>Do activity</b> with them (play ball, go outside, build a fort, lincoln logs, play dough, etc.)<br />
<b>Read 1 Bible story</b> per day from children's Bible or ESV Bible<br />
<b>Narration</b><br />
<b>Recitation</b><br />
<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mathematical-Reasoning-Through-Verbal-Analysis/dp/0894558846/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1532572108&sr=1-2&keywords=mathematical+reasoning+a" target="_blank">Mathematical Reasoning</a></b> (Oliver only)<br />
<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ordinary-Parents-Guide-Teaching-Reading/dp/0972860312/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1532572147&sr=1-1&keywords=ordinary+parents+guide+to+teaching+reading" target="_blank">Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading</a></b> (Oliver only)<br />
<b><a href="https://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/ECACO2" target="_blank">Explode the Code A, B, and C</a> </b>for Oliver and Olivia when they want to<br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>An Outline of Our Day</b></span><br />
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Our day is roughly divided up into 4 sections.<br />
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First, we are all together for <a href="http://preschoolersandpeace.com/circle-time/" target="_blank">Circle Time</a>. Around 9:00 we read 1 chapter of the Bible and pray. Then we move on to What Does the Bible Say About That or School of Biblical Evangelism (we usually alternate weeks). Next we go into Oliver and Olivia's room (hopefully stretching on the way). We read aloud, and I do some kind of flashcards with one kid per day.<br />
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Second, I do Preschool and Kindergarten with Oliver, Olivia and Zach while big kids do whatever they can do on their own. We read 2 picture books, do some kind of activity, read a Bible story, practice a memory verse, I do math and reading with Oliver, and they narrate to me.<br />
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Third, I get with Riley and Remy. We call Oliver in to do Science with us (reading a lesson or doing some activity) and then he goes to play. I do MCT with them, read History's Heroes, do Auditory with Riley, and they recite their verses and narrate. I also wrote a reminder to check their papers so I can touch base with them on their math grades and other things they have turned in. I sometimes ask a big boy to keep an eye on Olivia and Zach, or put him in a pack and play and give Olivia an activity. We are still working out the kinks!<br />
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Last, I do what is needed with Aiden and Alex. We watch Devotional Biology videos together, read from Great Christian Classics, do MCT, watch a Kickstart video every couple of days (then they work on the workbook on their own), talk about what we are reading in Holiness about once per week, they narrate and recite their verses. I check papers and touch base with them about math and other papers they have turned in.<br />
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I am trying to do a lot WITH them this year. So far it has worked for me to do that during the day (especially during nap time for the little ones) and make my private reading time their school material. However when the baby comes in October we will see how well I keep up.<br />
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<b>New Focus</b><br />
<br />
I have been very grateful for the vision from <a href="https://sites.generations.org/curriculum/" target="_blank">Generations</a> about having a thoroughly Biblical Worldview saturating your curriculum all during your homeschooling years. They have a huge focus on the Proverbs, Psalms, the growth of the Church through history, Bible knowledge and personal piety. They tackle other worldviews, but mainly after your kids have been thoroughly taught Godly principles and beliefs. We are raising disciples and I want my kids to know God and His Word more than anything else. I also want them to learn everything in light of His Word. So far I am thrilled with our curriculum for the year and the way that it is nurturing each of us in our faith.<br />
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Thanks for reading this! If you have any questions about what we use or how we use it I would be happy to answer them. Have a lovely week!<br />
<br />
<br />Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07056739025138187208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11150520.post-26286515622354120962017-09-14T22:39:00.000-05:002017-09-14T22:57:26.792-05:00School Post 2017 This post is my plan. But, just like every other year, as we go through the year we realize what is really working and what really isn't and we cast the latter aside.<br />
<br />
<b>Zach's (age 1) school</b> mainly consists of me learning some new finger plays, lap bouncing songs, and other ways to play with him (like the ones in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/This-Little-Piggy-CD-Pantomime/dp/0763613487/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1505443160&sr=8-1&keywords=this+little+piggy+yolen" target="_blank">This Little Piggy</a> and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Games-Babies-Play-Ed-Twelve/dp/0916773582/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1505446483&sr=8-1&keywords=games+babies+play" target="_blank">Games Babies Play</a>) and training him for blanket time and sitting on my lap better.<br />
<br />
<b>For Oliver (age 5) and Olivia (age 2 1/2) I am pulling from these resources:</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.thehomegrownpreschooler.com/product/a-year-of-playing-skillfully-printed-version/" target="_blank">A Year of Playing Skillfully</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Busy-Bags-Kids-Will-Love/dp/1612436676/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1505443327&sr=8-1&keywords=busy+bags+kids+will+love" target="_blank">Busy Bags Kids Will Love</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Montessori-Home-Guide-Inspired-Activities/dp/1537303619/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505443357&sr=1-1&keywords=montessori+at+home+guide" target="_blank">Montessori at Home Guide</a><br />
<br />
Bible Stories (read straight from the ESV Bible or Olivia's ICB Bible or other children's Bibles)<br />
<br />
Reading Classical Literature at their level and picture books<br />
<br />
Recitation to help them learn memory verses.<br />
<br />
Outside for 15 minutes (at least 15 every day)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Storytime-Millers-Mildred-Martin/dp/1884377009/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505443400&sr=1-1&keywords=storytime+with+the+millers" target="_blank">Storytime with the Millers</a> (and others from that series)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Ordinary-Parents-Guide-Teaching-Reading/dp/0972860312/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505443432&sr=1-1&keywords=ordinary+parents+guide+to+teaching+reading" target="_blank">Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading</a> (Oliver only).<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/proddtl.php?id=ECACT2" target="_blank">Explode the code A, B, and C</a> You don't have to have the teacher's guide.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://solmusic.ca/" target="_blank">Jamie Soles</a> music (especially <a href="http://solmusic.ca/music/goodadvice/" target="_blank">Good Advice</a>)<br />
<br />
<b>For Riley (grade 6) and Remy (grade 4) I am using these things:</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Proverbs-Companion-Lesson-Kevin-Swanson/dp/0985365145/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505443600&sr=1-1&keywords=proverbs+companion" target="_blank">Proverbs workbook</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.greeknstuff.com/andrew.html" target="_blank">Hey Andrew Teach Me Some Greek</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/005555" target="_blank">Exploring Creation With Zoology 3</a> (with <a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/proddtl.php?id=048066" target="_blank">notebooking journal</a> and <a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/proddtl.php?id=049864" target="_blank">Jr. notebooking journal</a>)<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/GDIHCS" target="_blank">Italic Handwriting</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://mathusee.com/parents/" target="_blank">Math U See</a> (Riley in Zeta, Remy in Delta)<br />
<br />
Narration<br />
<br />
Outside 15 minutes (at least 15 every day)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.linguisystems.com/products/product/display?itemid=10039" target="_blank">Help for Auditory Processing</a> (Riley only, but Remy asks to do it too!)<br />
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<a href="https://www.rfwp.com/pages/michael-clay-thompson/" target="_blank">Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts Curriculum</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/proddtl.php?id=EC18C2&subject=Phonics/5&category=Explode+the+Code+%282nd+Ed.%29/12467" target="_blank">Explode the Code </a>the boys love these!<br />
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History and Literature books from 1900 to present. I chose books from <a href="http://www.amblesideonline.org/" target="_blank">Ambleside</a>, <a href="https://www.sonlight.com/" target="_blank">Sonlight</a>, and other credible reading lists and pieced together a history and literature book list that my 4 big boys were going to use. Then I came across something different for Aiden and Alex. Now I am going to use <a href="https://www.amazon.com/World-War-Kids-History-Activities/dp/1613745567/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505444195&sr=1-1&keywords=world+war+1+for+kids" target="_blank">World War 1 for Kids</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Great-Depression-Kids-Hardship-Activities/dp/1613730519/ref=pd_sim_14_5?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=6YXPZSDPFG86YEA1YZCH" target="_blank">The Great Depression for Kids</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/History-US-Peace-That-1918-1945/dp/0195327233/ref=pd_sim_14_9?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=MFE31TZETQ3VPC5BKZ7M" target="_blank">A History of US (book 9)</a> and others to read through these things and discuss with Riley and Remy. <br />
<br />
Recitation (Memory work from Prov workbook and 1 longer passage from Romans)<br />
<br />
Piano lessons<br />
<br />
<b>For Aiden (9th grade) and Alex (8th grade) I am using these things:</b><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Proverbs-Companion-Lesson-Kevin-Swanson/dp/0985365145/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505443600&sr=1-1&keywords=proverbs+companion" target="_blank">Proverbs workbook</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Basics-Biblical-Grammar-William-Mounce/dp/0310287685/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505444456&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=mounce+basics+of+biblical+greenk" target="_blank">Mounce's Basics of Biblical Greek</a> with <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Basics-Biblical-Workbook-William-Mounce/dp/0310287677/ref=pd_bxgy_14_2?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=VY1R8YS31BDFC5226XX2" target="_blank">workbook</a>, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Biblical-Greek-Laminated-Zondervan-Guides/dp/0310262941/ref=pd_bxgy_14_3?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=PY4YDQMGJ7W1EMPJBBTX" target="_blank">study guide</a> , <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Basics-Biblical-Greek-Video-Lectures/dp/0310499887/ref=pd_sim_14_7?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=G3HHCVF20Q62EHZ3F7JD" target="_blank">DVD lectures</a>, and <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sing-Learn-New-Testament-Greek/dp/0310280990/ref=tmm_abk_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1505444620&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Sing and Learn New Testament Greek</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.compassclassroom.com/devotional-biology-491" target="_blank">Devotional Biology with Kurt Wise</a> I'm SO excited about this!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/GDIHCS" target="_blank">Italic Handwriting</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Type-Joan-Duffy/dp/0838813453/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1505444750&sr=1-1&keywords=type+it" target="_blank">Type It</a> (Alex only)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://mathusee.com/parents/" target="_blank">Math U See</a> (Aiden in Algebra, Alex in Pre-algebra)<br />
<br />
Narration<br />
<br />
Outside 15 minutes (at least 15 every day)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.rfwp.com/pages/michael-clay-thompson/" target="_blank">Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts Curriculum</a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://sites.generations.org/curriculum/" target="_blank">Discipleship Curriculum from Generations with Vision</a> we are doing <a href="https://sites.generations.org/curriculum/9th-grade-core-curriculum/" target="_blank">9th grade</a> with both Aiden and Alex <br />
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Recitation (Memory work from Prov workbook and 1 longer passage from Romans)<br />
<br />
Piano lessons <br />
<br />
Aiden is also finishing his <a href="http://oneyearnovel.com/" target="_blank">One Year Adventure Novel</a> from last year. He is really enjoying that. <br />
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As a family we are using <a href="https://store.generations.org/collections/family-bible-study-series" target="_blank">The Family Bible Study Series</a> for the <a href="https://store.generations.org/collections/family-bible-study-series/products/psalms-collection-1-2-3-4" target="_blank">Psalms</a> and <a href="https://store.generations.org/collections/family-bible-study-series/products/proverbs-collection-1-2-3" target="_blank">Proverbs</a>. We all read the portion for one Psalm per week and get together to talk about it on Sunday night. We do one lesson from the Proverbs books as a family each night during Bible Time. We are also using lots of songs to help us learn the Psalms (<a href="http://solmusic.ca/" target="_blank">Jamie Soles</a>, <a href="http://sonsofkorah.com/" target="_blank">Sons of Korah</a>, and <a href="https://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/for-my-family/" target="_blank">Seeds Family Worship</a>) and trying to have more of a plan and focus for our family prayer time.<br />
<br />
Also, all together we are using <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Draw-USA-Kristin-J-Draeger/dp/1492278955/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1505445557&sr=8-1&keywords=draw+the+usa" target="_blank">Draw the USA</a> (love it!), <a href="https://simplycharlottemason.com/store/laying-rails-laying-rails-children-laying-rails-workshop-dvd-bundle/" target="_blank">Laying Down the Rails</a>, and lots of <a href="https://store.lamplighter.net/refined-search-c299.aspx?AlwaysElevate=True&noredirect#search/%7B%22minPrice%22%3A%220%22%2C%22maxPrice%22%3A%22999999999%22%2C%22masterCategory%22%3A%22Lamplighter%20Books%22%2C%22subCategories%22%3A%5B%22-1%22%5D%2C%22titleSearch%22%3A%22%22%2C%22keywords%22%3A%5B%22All%22%5D%2C%22specs%22%3A%5B%7B%22cssName%22%3A%22agerange590ab965218cbbd33afc97284d1c45c8%22%2C%22selectedValue%22%3A%22All%22%2C%22min%22%3Anull%2C%22max%22%3Anull%7D%2C%7B%22cssName%22%3A%22approximatetime264063528990077e522de719f16ce4db%22%2C%22selectedValue%22%3A%22All%22%2C%22min%22%3Anull%2C%22max%22%3Anull%7D%2C%7B%22cssName%22%3A%22author02bd92faa38aaa6cc0ea75e59937a1ef%22%2C%22selectedValue%22%3A%22All%22%2C%22min%22%3Anull%2C%22max%22%3Anull%7D%2C%7B%22cssName%22%3A%22pagerange4a3129f5374b8a7f9e502fae0c92c3d2%22%2C%22selectedValue%22%3A%22All%22%2C%22min%22%3Anull%2C%22max%22%3Anull%7D%2C%7B%22cssName%22%3A%22producttypec35c669bb6d94ec8e66ac9e9873f0a4d%22%2C%22selectedValue%22%3A%22All%22%2C%22min%22%3Anull%2C%22max%22%3Anull%7D%2C%7B%22cssName%22%3A%22writteninfd8fa29e56c74953f6b4e3f4cc201da2%22%2C%22selectedValue%22%3A%22All%22%2C%22min%22%3Anull%2C%22max%22%3Anull%7D%5D%7D" target="_blank">Lamplighter books</a>!<br />
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If you have any questions about how we use things please ask! I have loved asking others the same thing! <br />
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<br />Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07056739025138187208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11150520.post-86545301243237404052017-06-24T21:16:00.003-05:002017-06-24T21:16:37.724-05:00ModestyHere are some helpful resources on the topic of modesty. All of these links were extremely helpful to me in thinking through this topic and would be especially wonderful in helping your daughters have a well rounded view of modesty.<br />
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<a href="http://jessconnell.com/modesty-mean-biblical-modesty-pt-1/" target="_blank">Here</a> is the first of a 4 part series that I appreciated. It's just the intro, but if you like to start at the beginning, here it is.<br />
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The <a href="http://jessconnell.com/8-questions-ask-biblical-modesty-pt-2/" target="_blank">second post</a> in that series includes 8 terrific questions to ask yourself about modesty.<br />
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The <a href="http://jessconnell.com/8-questions-ask-biblical-modesty-pt-2/" target="_blank">third post</a> in that series had some great original thoughts about modesty in worship. Do we aid others in worship or do we detract from it with our finery or by showing too much skin. Do we really want to steal attention that should be directed at God?<br />
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The <a href="http://jessconnell.com/practical-considerations-modesty-biblical-modesty-pt-4/" target="_blank">last post</a> focuses on how your fashion affects your worship and the worship of others and it asks hard questions about the nitty gritty.<br />
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<a href="http://jessconnell.com/contributing-culture-lust/" target="_blank">Are you contributing to a culture of lust?</a>
Wonderful thoughts about what our pictures say about us and how women
can unknowingly imitate the form of porn in the way they pose, use make
up, or photograph themselves.<br />
<br />
The ones above were all by the same author, but this last one is from The Bible Project. We have loved devouring these videos!<br />
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1 Timothy tells women where their beauty should come from. The Bible Project <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RoqnGcEjcs" target="_blank">video about 1 Timothy</a> brings this to life and helps us see what was going on in the church that the letter is written to. In case you are short on time you can start at the 3 minute mark and see that some of the women were using church as a fashion show. Do you think that would distract from the worship of the Lord or bring him glory?<br />
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May we be lovely and righteous women who seek to honor our Lord!Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07056739025138187208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11150520.post-48864626248241860612017-04-24T20:47:00.000-05:002017-04-24T20:47:58.117-05:00My Grandpa<br /><script>var w=window,d=document,e;w._fpes||(w._fpes=[],w.addEventListener("load",function(){var s=d.createElement("script");s.src="//embed.flowplayer.org/6.0.2/embed.min.js",d.body.appendChild(s)})),e=[].slice.call(d.getElementsByTagName("script"),-1)[0].parentNode,w._fpes.push({e:e,l:"",c:{"ratio":0.5625,"rtmp":0,"live":false,"origin":"http://player.tributecenteronline.com/49220","key":"$343103564176718","swf":"/Content/flowplayer/flowplayer.swf","swfHls":"//releases.flowplayer.org/6.0.2/commercial/flowplayerhls.swf","adaptiveRatio":false,"clip":{"subtitles":[],"sources":[{"src":"http://tcwebvideo.s3.amazonaws.com/1288/videos/b024f30f-e914-45a5-b822-f1c4f5a11f8c.mp4","suffix":"mp4","type":"video/mp4"},{"src":"http://tcwebvideo.s3.amazonaws.com/1288/videos/b024f30f-e914-45a5-b822-f1c4f5a11f8c.webm","suffix":"webm","type":"video/webm"}]}}});<br></script><a href="https://www.blogger.com/%3Ca%20href=%22http://player.tributecenteronline.com/49220%22%3EWatch%20video!%20%3Cscript%3Evar%20w=window,d=document,e;w._fpes||(w._fpes=[],w.addEventListener(%22load%22,function()%7Bvar%20s=d.createElement(%22script%22);s.src=%22//embed.flowplayer.org/6.0.2/embed.min.js%22,d.body.appendChild(s)%7D)),e=[].slice.call(d.getElementsByTagName(%22script%22),-1)[0].parentNode,w._fpes.push(%7Be:e,l:%22%22,c:%7B%22ratio%22:0.5625,%22rtmp%22:0,%22live%22:false,%22origin%22:%22http://player.tributecenteronline.com/49220%22,%22key%22:%22$343103564176718%22,%22swf%22:%22/Content/flowplayer/flowplayer.swf%22,%22swfHls%22:%22//releases.flowplayer.org/6.0.2/commercial/flowplayerhls.swf%22,%22adaptiveRatio%22:false,%22clip%22:%7B%22subtitles%22:[],%22sources%22:[%7B%22src%22:%22http://tcwebvideo.s3.amazonaws.com/1288/videos/b024f30f-e914-45a5-b822-f1c4f5a11f8c.mp4%22,%22suffix%22:%22mp4%22,%22type%22:%22video/mp4%22%7D,%7B%22src%22:%22http://tcwebvideo.s3.amazonaws.com/1288/videos/b024f30f-e914-45a5-b822-f1c4f5a11f8c.webm%22,%22suffix%22:%22webm%22,%22type%22:%22video/webm%22%7D]%7D%7D%7D);%20%3C/script%3E%3C/a%3E" target="_blank"><a href="http://player.tributecenteronline.com/49220">Watch video! <script>var w=window,d=document,e;w._fpes||(w._fpes=[],w.addEventListener("load",function(){var s=d.createElement("script");s.src="//embed.flowplayer.org/6.0.2/embed.min.js",d.body.appendChild(s)})),e=[].slice.call(d.getElementsByTagName("script"),-1)[0].parentNode,w._fpes.push({e:e,l:"",c:{"ratio":0.5625,"rtmp":0,"live":false,"origin":"http://player.tributecenteronline.com/49220","key":"$343103564176718","swf":"/Content/flowplayer/flowplayer.swf","swfHls":"//releases.flowplayer.org/6.0.2/commercial/flowplayerhls.swf","adaptiveRatio":false,"clip":{"subtitles":[],"sources":[{"src":"http://tcwebvideo.s3.amazonaws.com/1288/videos/b024f30f-e914-45a5-b822-f1c4f5a11f8c.mp4","suffix":"mp4","type":"video/mp4"},{"src":"http://tcwebvideo.s3.amazonaws.com/1288/videos/b024f30f-e914-45a5-b822-f1c4f5a11f8c.webm","suffix":"webm","type":"video/webm"}]}}}); </script></a></a>Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07056739025138187208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11150520.post-19118418395026887842016-07-07T22:38:00.000-05:002016-07-07T22:38:05.112-05:00Back At It<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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We started school on the 4th of July. Yes, we started on a holiday! But I tried to make it festive and fun and we ended the day with ice cream and fireworks so they were happy. When Baby Zach is born in a few weeks we will take some time off.<br />
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This year Aiden is in 8th grade, Alex is in 7th grade, Riley is in 5th grade, Remy is in 3rd grade, Oliver is 4, and Olivia is 1 1/2. Here is a summary of what I'm using this year.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.sonlight.com/EC5.html" target="_blank">Sonlight Core E</a> - Everyone</b><br />
I used Sonlight for many years. I love a literature-rich curriculum. One year the core we were supposed to do next was a bit too advance for my boys so I did other things. It was a nice break and I had a lot of fun doing my own thing. The 2nd half of last year we came back to Sonlight and it was a great fit. I'm very excited about this year because it is American History (1850-present) and I look forward to learning about that time period! I'm also excited because I am having a baby this month or next and everything Sonlight related is laid out and scheduled for me. SO helpful! Because I'm a box checker, I really want to keep up the pace with the reading, and that keeps me motivated. This is the first time in a long time that I have used Sonlight's Bible assignments as well. So far we have really enjoyed that. <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Starting-Strong-Paula-Rinehart/dp/B000TYWJI8?ie=UTF8&qid=1467941668&ref_=la_B001JS4FC6_1_4&s=books&sr=1-4" target="_blank">This book</a> is a part of the Bible assignments, and we have gotten a lot out of it.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.rfwp.com/pages/michael-clay-thompson/" target="_blank">Michael Clay Thompson Language Arts</a> - Aiden, Alex, Riley, and Remy</b><br />
I love this curriculum. Each level covers Grammar, Vocabulary, Writing, and Poetry, and has a Practice Book. It is fun, simple, and very rigorous without stressing anyone out! I now have Aiden & Alex in the same book and Riley & Remy in the same book. That cuts down on some of the one-on-one time and actually makes for some richer conversations. We also usually do the poetry part all together. We are wrapping up <a href="http://www.rfwp.com/package/mct-level-2-complete-homeschool-package-with-ceei-color-edition" target="_blank">level 2</a> and should begin <a href="http://www.rfwp.com/package/mct-level-3-complete-homeschool-package-with-caesars-english-ii-classical-education-color-edition" target="_blank">level 3</a> soon.<br />
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<b>Reader/Widely Reader - Aiden, Alex, Riley, and Remy</b><br />
I'm using Sonlight (<a href="http://www.sonlight.com/homeschool/subjects/readers/readers-3/" target="_blank">3rd grade list</a>, <a href="http://www.sonlight.com/homeschool/subjects/readers/readers-4-5/" target="_blank">4th grade list</a>, and <a href="http://www.sonlight.com/homeschool/subjects/readers/readers-e/" target="_blank">this list</a> for my two older boys), <a href="http://www.rfwp.com/series/mct-literature-program" target="_blank">Michael Clay Thompson Literature Trilogies</a>, and other lists to come up with Readers for each boy at their level. The Readers are mostly classic literature and other fiction. Last year I created the "Widely Reader." I wanted them to read more non-fiction and so I made a spot to assign those books. We currently have rest time from (approx. :0) 1:00-2:00 and so they have time then to read 30 minutes from each book.<br />
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<b>Copywork/Narration - Aiden, Alex, Riley, and Remy</b><br />
I'm using <a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/028847" target="_blank">Spelling Wisdom</a> as copywork right now. It's designed to be used differently, but I liked the passages and I'm using it my own way. They narrate to me after they do their Reader and Widely Reader.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.greeknstuff.com/andrew.html" target="_blank">Greek</a> - Aiden, Alex, Riley, and Remy</b><br />
We are still quite happy with <a href="http://www.greeknstuff.com/andrew.html" target="_blank">Hey, Andrew! Teach Me Some Greek!</a>. You can use this even if you don't know any Greek, but it is really handy that my husband knows and loves the language! He does the grading for that.<br />
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<b>Outside for 15 Minutes - Everyone</b><br />
Ideally we are all outside for at least 15 minutes, but I must admit that sometimes I have the bigger kids take Oliver and Olivia out while I help another kid with some school. I need to get better about getting myself outside! The boys usually combine this with another subject and just do their school work outside.<br />
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<b>Piano - Aiden, Alex, Riley, and Remy</b><br />
Our 4 oldest are taking lessons. It's part of their daily school to practice.<br />
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<b><a href="http://mathusee.com/" target="_blank">Math</a> - Aiden, Alex, Riley, and Remy</b><br />
<a href="http://mathusee.com/" target="_blank">Math-U-See</a> continues to be a great fit for our family.<br />
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<b>Auditory Processing - Riley</b><br />
I got <a href="https://www.linguisystems.com/products/product/display?itemid=10039" target="_blank">HELP for Auditory Processing</a> at a used book sale. The mom said it was very helpful in her home and it seemed to be what I was looking for. It was in a package with <a href="http://www.linguisystems.com/products/product/display?itemid=10075" target="_blank">these three books</a> that I have not tried yet. Riley loves it and it's very easy to use. I may do this with my other kids later.<br />
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<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Type-Joan-Duffy/dp/0838813453/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1467943878&sr=8-2&keywords=type+it" target="_blank">Type It</a> - Aiden, Alex, and Riley</b><br />
This is a very simple, no frills typing book, but the boys love it so far and are doing a great job increasing their typing skills.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Art-Argument-Aaron-Larsen/dp/1600510183/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467944234&sr=8-1&keywords=art+of+argument" target="_blank">The Art of Argument</a> - Aiden and Alex</b><br />
The boys have used some of <a href="http://www.triviumpursuit.com/store/productlist.php?category=2" target="_blank">the Bluedorn's Logic books/videos</a>, but this is our first full year logic curriculum. So far they are liking it. Jeremy is doing this with them for now and it has sparked some really great conversations. I usually try to be in the same room so I can learn along with them. We also got the <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Art-Argument-DVD-Set/dp/1600510639/ref=pd_bxgy_14_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=RVRSC340Q0X4HQR8MM3D" target="_blank">DVD's</a> that go along with this, but we haven't begun using them yet.<br />
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<b>Cooking Class - Aiden, Alex, Riley, Remy, and Oliver</b><br />
<a href="http://kidscookrealfood.com/" target="_blank">Kids Cook Real Food</a> has been lots of fun so far! Highly recommended! We will likely do a lesson each Friday.<br />
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<b><a href="http://oneyearnovel.com/" target="_blank">One Year Adventure Novel</a> - Aiden</b><br />
I'm really excited about this. Aiden loves to write all the time and devours books about writing. I have read numerous rave reviews about this program. I asked Aiden to look it over and he is very excited to begin it. I just ordered it, so he will be starting this in the next week or two.<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.sonlight.com/TMSP.html" target="_blank">Sonlight Preschool Core</a> - Oliver and Olivia</b><br />
I used this years ago with some of my older kids. I only have the books. I set them all out to help me have a plan for what to read and talk about with Oliver and Olivia. I have time with them from 8:30 to 9:00 every morning before beginning school with the older kids. Sometimes we go outside to swing, play ball, or do a crafty activity, but we always try to read some of these books as well.<br />
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<b>Moving - Everyone</b><br />
I don't have anything fancy for this category, but the boys usually just go downstairs and I put one boy in charge of PT while I put Olivia down for her morning nap. That person leads everyone in some exercises. They have a repertoire from when Jeremy used to do Army drills with them :0)<br />
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<b>A few other odds and ends.</b><br />
*We use <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Janice-VanCleaves-Chemistry-Every-Kid/dp/0471620858/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467944960&sr=8-1&keywords=chemistry+janice" target="_blank">this book</a> for some chemistry experiments.<br />
*I'm adding in artists from the time period we are covering. I'm using the things I got <a href="http://brandysexton.blogspot.com/2013/07/school-curriculum-2013-2014.html" target="_blank">this year</a>. <br />
*Alex is doing <a href="https://www.queenshomeschooling.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=53_54&products_id=266&zenid=0bdb9916c8085efa093a133923860f67" target="_blank">this Bible Study</a>.<br />
*Aiden is getting ready to start <a href="http://www.doorposts.com/details.aspx?id=93" target="_blank">this Bible Study</a>.<br />
*We are using <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Our-24-Family-Ways-Devotional/dp/1888692154/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467945575&sr=8-1&keywords=24+family+ways" target="_blank">this book</a> as a family now for Bible time and totally loving it. It even has a <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Family-Ways-Childrens-Color--Book/dp/1888692111/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1467945575&sr=8-2&keywords=24+family+ways" target="_blank">coloring book</a> that goes with it!<br />
*Later this year we hope to cover <a href="https://www.amazon.com/New-Testament-Made-Simple/dp/0964309610/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1467945681&sr=8-1&keywords=new+testament+made+simple#customerReviews" target="_blank">this book</a>. The one on the Old Testament was terrific.<br />
*We still love our <a href="http://www.smockityfrocks.com/2013/01/creating-a-master-schedule-for-multiple-homeschooled-children.html" target="_blank">flipper</a> system.<br />
*I'm enjoying <a href="http://www.apologia.com/planners/433-the-ultimate-homeschool-planner-blue-cover.html" target="_blank">this planner</a> so much!<br />
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Well, that about sums it up!<br />
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Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07056739025138187208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11150520.post-10516756755638819172016-05-24T21:37:00.003-05:002016-05-24T21:37:45.416-05:00Saving SummerOur 2nd day of summer break I realized that I needed a plan. Wide open days with 6 young kids quickly turn into chaos. Everyone forgets to do their chores. There are lots of random requests to do lots of projects. There is just a lot of time to fill with...well, I did not know what we were going to fill it with. I just wanted everyone to get a bit of a break before jumping back into school July 1st. I wanted some sleeping in, lying around, reading aloud, and hanging out.<br />
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So, here is my plan for our fun summer: Summer Flippers!<br />
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I'll go through them and explain a bit.</div>
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<b>Before 10:00</b>- During the school year this flipper says before 9:00. It refers to a list of things to be done by 9:00. But we are all sleeping a bit later in the summer so I moved the time. Things to be done by 10:00 include Reading Bible, Making Bed, Cleaning Body, Praying, Morning Chore, and Resetting Flippers.</div>
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<b>Piano</b>- We keep lessons going in the summer so they need to practice.</div>
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<b>Outside 15 minutes</b>- This is a minimum of course, but it's to make sure that no matter the weather, the kids are outside every day.</div>
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<b>Greek Tues and Thurs</b>- Taking the summer off of Greek would set them back a good bit. So we do it two days per week.</div>
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<b>Read to a younger sibling for 15 minutes</b>-self explanatory.</div>
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<b>Read 30 minutes</b>- I still want them making time to read during the summer. Most of them read a LOT more than this.</div>
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<b>Fun Activity</b>- This is something they come up with. We have tons of books with ideas for fun things. I just want them to make time to do something that they enjoy. </div>
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<b>Watch Olivia for 20 minutes</b>- This gives me EIGHTY minutes of time knowing that Olivia is safe and being loved on. This is in addition to a little bit of time in the pack and play with toys, and blanket time near me. This is really helpful because she likes to climb :0).</div>
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<b>Jurisdiction 5:00 and Before Bed</b>- This is a part of the house that this child is responsible for. They pick it up all the way at 5:00 and then do a quick pick up again just before bed.</div>
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<b>Hug your Mom and Dad</b>- This will be helpful for me. I can get so busy doing all the work around here, but I want to make sure to give them eye contact, and loving physical touch. Looking forward to this one!</div>
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<b>Play with Marley</b>- Marley is our dog and he needs some run around time with the boys. Making it a flipper ensures that they don't forget about him!</div>
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When I told the boys that I made some summer flippers they were happy and excited! I think they like feeling some control over their day and having some things to focus on.</div>
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Enjoy your summer break!</div>
<br />Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07056739025138187208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11150520.post-36433706937263859492015-08-22T15:42:00.002-05:002015-08-22T21:42:55.639-05:002015 CURRICULUM PostNow, here I'll record my neat and tidy plans for curriculum this year. This evolves during the year as I add things and scrap others, but this is my current plan.<br />
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Aiden 7th, Alex 6th, Riley 4th, Remy 2nd, Oliver Pre-PreK :0).<br />
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<b>*We do these things all together during <a href="http://preschoolersandpeace.com/circle-time/" target="_blank">Circle Time</a>. We don't do all of the memory work or songs everyday. We mix things up during the week.</b><br />
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<b>SINGING and MEMORY WORK</b>--Bits of <a href="http://www.classicalconversationsbooks.com/cycle1audiocds.html" target="_blank">CC Memory Work and Timeline Song</a><br />
Memory work from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/First-Language-Lessons-Well-Trained-Mind/dp/1933339187/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1440269754&sr=8-2&keywords=first+language+lessons+cd" target="_blank">First Language Lessons CD</a><br />
Scripture Memory Songs from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sing-Bible-Slugs-Bugs-Cd/dp/B00IAY7KII/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440269825&sr=8-1&keywords=slugs+and+bugs" target="_blank">Randall Goodgame</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sing-Word-Heavens-Harrow-Family/dp/B002LKWPJG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440269863&sr=8-1&keywords=the+harrow+family" target="_blank">The Harrow Family</a>, <a href="http://www.solmusic.ca/" target="_blank">Jamie Soles</a>, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hide-Em-Your-Heart-Vol/dp/B001EJH4SW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440269961&sr=8-1&keywords=steve+green" target="_blank">Steve Green</a>, and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rise-Darkness-Nathan-Clark-George/dp/B000OYCGIG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1440269893&sr=8-2&keywords=nathan+clark+george" target="_blank">Nathan Clark George</a><br />
<b>BIBLE</b>--<a href="http://www.smockityfrocks.com/2014/10/take-turns-reading-aloud-popcorn.html" target="_blank">Popcorn Bible Reading</a> from the ESV<br />
<b>PRAYER</b>--Prayer Box and Answered Prayers book<br />
<b>BIBLE HISTORY</b>--<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Testament-Made-Simple-Melton-Short/dp/0964309602/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440273880&sr=8-1&keywords=old+testament+made+simple" target="_blank">The Old Testament Made Simple</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/New-Testament-Made-Simple/dp/0964309610/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1440273976&sr=1-1&keywords=the+new+testament+made+simple" target="_blank">The New Testament Made Simple</a><br />
<a href="http://picturesmartbible.com/" target="_blank">The Picture Smart Bible</a>--If we get the OT and NT Made Simple done we might use this).<br />
<b>WORK</b>--Usually it's some kind of manual labor like cleaning baseboards for 15 minutes.<br />
<b>READ ALOUD</b>--I'm using <a href="http://amblesideonline.org/curriculum.shtml" target="_blank">Ambleside Online</a> some to help me choose books from our collection to focus on this year.<br />
<br />
<b>*We work these in weekly or monthly.</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>SCIENCE</b>--<a href="http://www.sciencelearningspace.com/" target="_blank">Supercharged Science</a>--I'm still figuring out how to schedule this the best way, but we have tons of terrific experiments to do, lots of videos online to watch, and lots of great info to read on the website.<br />
<b>ART</b>--Aiden Alex, and Riley are taking a drawing class and we also do art projects at home some and review flashcards from our <a href="http://brandysexton.blogspot.com/2013/07/school-curriculum-2013-2014.html" target="_blank">Fine Arts year</a> a while back.<br />
<b>MUSIC</b>--Aiden, Alex, Riley, and Remy are taking piano and we listen to tons of good music all the time, and have hymn sings at church.<br />
<b>COOKING</b>--It is a major priority of mine that my boys know how to cook by the time they leave my house and that I cook ahead as much as possible. So, it only makes sense that I would cook with the boys to get ahead! We will try to do this once a week in addition to my helper for the day helping me with cooking prep. We have also enjoyed watching <a href="http://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/the-everyday-gourmet-rediscovering-the-lost-art-of-cooking.html" target="_blank">these cooking classes</a>.<br />
<b>SERVICE</b>--Raymond and Dorothy Moore describe education as a three legged stool. The three legs are book learning, work, and service. I love that model and here we look for ways to be hospitable or serve others in the church and/or community.<br />
<b>GEOGRAPHY</b>--I'm going to spend one month making sure that my kids have a comfortable knowledge of the continents and oceans and some major landmarks. I'll be using <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Geography-And-Timeline-Guide/dp/0966372204" target="_blank">The Ultimate Geography and Timeline Guide</a> and Geography Flashcards that you can buy <a href="http://www.madetoorganize.com/2015/06/geography-flashcards-2/" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
<b>FIELD TRIPS</b>--We will shoot for one field trip per month. It's so nice to get out together and enjoy God's creation!<br />
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<b>*Everyone does these on their own. </b><br />
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<b>MATH</b>--We are using <a href="http://mathusee.com/" target="_blank">Math U See</a>. We switched from Saxon at the end of last year and so far I've been really glad that we did. The kids are enjoying math a LOT more. It has been a bit complicated switching over. I tested each boy to see what level he should begin at. Then I backed up one level from their recommendation and then had them zip through and do one page of the lesson work per day instead taking a week and doing multiple pages. This way they could learn how he teaches (via DVD) and how he explains things and get used to the change at a level that they were comfortable at. It would also be great review. Now I am just watching their scores on math and if they start missing 1 or 2 then at that point I will slow down and help them get the info. If they are getting everything right the first try then I am still letting them move more quickly. I help them as needed, but the video of Steve Demme gets them started off right each week. I have been supplementing with <a href="https://www.hickorygrovepress.com/search.cfm" target="_blank">Challenge Math</a>, but I'm comparing that with <a href="http://www.criticalthinking.com/mathematical-reasoning.html" target="_blank">Mathematical Reasoning</a> and <a href="http://www.beastacademy.com/" target="_blank">Beast Academy</a> (at the recommendation of a <a href="http://www.mathcounts.org/" target="_blank">Math Counts</a> leader) to see if those might work better for us. Also, we are doing flashcards to make sure that their math facts are as normal as breathing :0).<br />
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<b>COPYWORK</b>--I write a new quote on the white board each morning. So far they have all been quotes about the Bible by famous people. It's been really fun finding these. Now I am moving into quotes about personal piety.<br />
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<b>NARRATION</b>--Each of them narrates to me by themselves in the laundry room after our read aloud time.<br />
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<b>OUTSIDE FOR 15 MINUTES</b>--This has been a great addition to our flippers! They can combine this with another subject by doing their work outside or they can just go play and have some recess. It's wonderful to get some fresh air! Even if it is raining they can just go out on our front porch. And, of course, they can stay out longer than 15 minutes.<br />
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<b>PIANO</b>--Our 4 big boys are taking piano so they each have to practice every day. We have a piano upstairs and a keyboard with headphones downstairs so that helps.<br />
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<b>READERS</b>--I used <a href="https://www.amblesideonline.org/BooklistAuthor.shtml" target="_blank">Ambleside Online</a> to choose some of the books we already have as readers for the boys at their appropriate reading levels. I require them to read 30 minutes of their assigned book. After that they are free to read other stuff. I just told them this week that I might be changing the required reading to an hour. After all, I am picking awesome books for them to get into and they usually end up loving them! Some of the books are <a href="http://www.rfwp.com/series/mct-literature-program" target="_blank">Michael Clay Thompson's Literature Trilogies</a>. These are terrific! If have never heard of them...check them out!<br />
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<b>*Aiden, Alex, and Riley are doing these things:</b><br />
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<b><a href="http://www.rfwp.com/pages/michael-clay-thompson/" target="_blank">MICHAEL CLAY THOMPSON LANGUAGE ARTS</a></b>--I finally took the plunge (after looking at it for about 5 years!) and bought this curriculum this year and I am so pleased! It begins in 3rd grade and covers Grammar, Writing, Vocabulary, Practice and Poetics. I just started Aiden, Alex, and Riley all on the first books and I am zipping through them with Aiden and Alex and taking it slower with Riley. I can't say enough about how accessible he makes grammar and vocabulary. He really boils it down and makes it so simple and thoroughly enjoyable! The vocabulary in this program is very advanced and the end goal is to be able to write an MLA style paper so the kids will be ready for college. This curriculum is a bit hard to explain, but do some research if you are interested. There is quite a buzz about it around the web!<br />
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<b>GREEK</b>--Aiden, Alex, and Riley are all using <a href="http://www.greeknstuff.com/andrew.html" target="_blank">Hey Andrew Teach Me Some Greek</a>. Jeremy did just find <a href="http://danielstreett.com/2014/04/07/can-you-teach-kids-ancient-greek/" target="_blank">a curriculum</a> that teaches Koine Greek by having them listen to it spoken. He has heard some rave reviews about it and so we might be switching over to that soon.<br />
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<b>*Aiden and Alex are doing these things:</b><br />
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<b>FRIDAY ESSAYS</b>-- This year I am having Aiden and Alex do an essay for me (due each Friday) about current events. We get World Magazine and then we have a few sites that they can go to for research online. This is nothing fancy, but we are working up to more sophisticated writing. <br />
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<b>*Remy is doing these things:</b><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ordinary-Parents-Guide-Teaching-Reading/dp/0972860312/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1440275617&sr=1-1&keywords=ordinary+parents+guide+to+teaching+reading" target="_blank">Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading</a><br />
I read picture books to him.<br />
He is still doing <a href="http://www.classicalconversationsbooks.com/prescripts.html" target="_blank">Prescripts</a> Handwriting and <a href="https://www.rainbowresource.com/prodlist.php?subject=Phonics/5&category=Explode+the+Code/822" target="_blank">Explode the Code</a><br />
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<b>*Oliver is doing these things:</b><br />
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I read picture books to him.<br />
One fun activity every day.<br />
Outside for 15 minutes every day.<br />
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To recap a different way, I will list the <a href="http://www.smockityfrocks.com/2013/01/creating-a-master-schedule-for-multiple-homeschooled-children.html" target="_blank">flippers</a> we use. These are small laminated cards that the kids and I flip over when we have completed the subject listed on the card. I absolutely love this system! The subjects listed here are fleshed out above.<br />
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<b><u>Our Family Flippers:</u></b><br />
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<b>Daily</b><br />
Sing<br />
Memory Work<br />
Pray<br />
Bible Reading<br />
Bible History<br />
Read Aloud<br />
<br />
<b>Once or Twice a Week</b><br />
Cooking<br />
Art<br />
Geography<br />
Music<br />
Science<br />
Service<br />
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<b><u>Aiden's Flippers--7th Grade:</u></b><br />
Before 9:00<br />
Math<br />
Challenge Math<br />
Copywork<br />
Grammar Island (Michael Clay Thompson)<br />
Narration<br />
Greek<br />
Reader<br />
Piano<br />
Outside 15 Minutes<br />
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<u><b>Alex's Flippers--6th Grade:</b></u><br />
Before 9:00<br />
Math<br />
Challenge Math<br />
Spelling (I just take misspelled words from his essay and other work, have him study and copy them and then test him on them each Friday)<br />
Copywork<br />
Grammar Island (Michael Clay Thompson)<br />
Narration<br />
Greek<br />
Reader<br />
Piano<br />
Outside 15 Minutes<br />
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<u><b>Riley's Flippers--4th Grade:</b></u><br />
Before 9:00<br />
Math<br />
Challenge Math<br />
Copywork<br />
Grammar Island (Michael Clay Thompson)<br />
Narration<br />
Greek<br />
Reader<br />
Piano<br />
Outside 15 Minutes<br />
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<u><b>Remy's Flippers--2nd Grade:</b></u><br />
Before 9:00<br />
Reading Book (Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading)<br />
Math<br />
Challenge Math<br />
Copywork<br />
Read to Me (I read him at least one picture book.)<br />
Narration<br />
Handwriting/Explode the Code<br />
Reader<br />
Piano<br />
Outside 15 Minutes<br />
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<u><b>Oliver's Flippers--Age3:</b></u><br />
Outside 15 minutes<br />
Read to Me<br />
Activity<br />
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There you have it!Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07056739025138187208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11150520.post-46350154291883396592015-08-21T22:40:00.000-05:002015-08-21T22:40:04.472-05:00School SCHEDULE Post 2015So...this is how we are scheduling things this year! I'm pretty pumped because we are finally getting in a groove with some things that make our day go much more smoothly!<br />
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Right now my kids are ages 12, 11, 9, 7, 3, and 10 months.<br />
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The kids get up at 7:00 and they do their "Before 9:00." This is the list:<br />
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Read your Bible.<br />
Make your bed.<br />
Clean your body.<br />
Get dressed.<br />
Pray.<br />
Reset your <a href="http://www.smockityfrocks.com/2013/01/creating-a-master-schedule-for-multiple-homeschooled-children.html" target="_blank">flippers</a>.<br />
Do morning chore.<br />
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*Current chores are: Aiden puts all the clean dishes away. Alex carries all dirty laundry downstairs and sorts it. Riley matches socks, puts them in people's bins, and carries all the clean dishtowels up to the kitchen. Remy takes out all the trash in the house (except for the two big kitchen trash cans).<br />
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At 8:00 we all stop working for a bit and come together to eat breakfast. After we are done everyone takes their own dishes to the sink and rinses them off. They put their cup (with a colored <a href="http://www.drinkbands.com/" target="_blank">drink band</a> on it) in the drainer by the sink to use throughout the day and their other dishes go in the left side of the sink (ready to go into the dishwasher).<br />
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At 8:30 Aiden and Riley finish cleaning up the kitchen (until the table is wiped off, counters are wiped off, things are loaded into the dishwasher or hand washed and the sink is empty). Aiden, Alex, Riley and Remy finish up anything left on their Before 9:00 and often get a few things crossed off of their school list.<br />
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Also at 8:30 I am spending time with Oliver and Olivia. We usually go to their room and play with plastic food or go out on the front porch and say the color of the cars that go by. Oliver loves having this time!<br />
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At 9:00 we all come together in our school room. I have a small pack n' play right by my desk and Olivia plays in there. Oliver has a seat at the half circle table that we use.<br />
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First, we sing lots of songs. We do a mixture of genres. We use preschool songs and Sunday School songs. Oliver loves that everyone sings his songs in a funny way with him and I love that it keeps the big kids from taking themselves too seriously. They get into it! We use Classical Conversations History Sentences. We use a variety of Scripture memory songs. We also chant <a href="http://www.amazon.com/First-Language-Lessons-Well-Trained-Mind/dp/1933339187/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1440214179&sr=8-2&keywords=first+language+lessons+cd" target="_blank">grammar lists</a> at this time (like a list of the prepositions). Lastly, we do <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Childs-Garden-Songs-Poetry-Stevenson/dp/B00000HZEB/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1440214295&sr=8-4&keywords=children+garden+of+verses+cd+music" target="_blank">poetry set to music</a>. We were doing Hymns using <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0785249397?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00" target="_blank">this terrific book</a>, but needed to cut some things out so now we do that at night during Bible time.<br />
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Second, we read the Bible <a href="http://www.smockityfrocks.com/2014/10/take-turns-reading-aloud-popcorn.html" target="_blank">popcorn style</a>. This has been terrific. Oliver listens some, but I also get out play dough or some other little thing for him to play with or sort during this time.<br />
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About this time (9:45 or so) Olivia is tired of the pack and play and tired of sitting on my lap. It's nap time! I tell the boys to finish up and then sit quietly and wait for me to get back. I go and rock Olivia for just a couple of minutes and then put her down in her bed. The key here is to wait until she is quite tired so that she starts sucking her thumb and goes out quickly.<br />
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Third, we have a short prayer time. We made a prayer box with 3x5 cards in it. Each card has a prayer request or praise. I hand 1 car to each person and we pray for these things. Even Oliver does it. I just tell him what to say. Then we put those cards at the back and write down any new requests. We also have a book of answered prayers. We just jot answered prayers in there as a reminder to us of how the Lord has heard our prayers!<br />
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At this point (around 10:10) I take Oliver to my bedroom and put him on my bed with lots of picture books. This is his time to play by himself for about 20 minutes. This is a skill that he needs and it really helps me to be able to give my undivided attention to the lesson I'm about to share. When I get back to my big boys I often tell them to stretch their arms and do Simon Says type movements with their arms while they are sitting in their seats. It's funny and we get some wiggles out.<br />
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Fourth, we study the Bible. This year we are learning Bible history for our history. After all, the Bible IS history! I am using an amazing resource called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Testament-Made-Simple-Melton-Short/dp/0964309602/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440124114&sr=8-1&keywords=the+old+testament+made+simple" target="_blank">The Old Testament Made Simple</a> by Melton Short. We read through the simple material and work together to commit the outlines of the OT to memory. It is very user friendly and the kids are really enjoying it.<br />
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Now it is about 10:30 (all times are very much estimates!). We head downstairs and I give each boy a coffee filter with animal crackers or graham crackers and some bottled water. These snacks are always handy and ready to go. Two boys share a bottle of water so it's not much of an expense. They sit and eat their snack in a circle while I read something about history or science (<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Childs-History-World-V-Hillyer/dp/1607965321/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440214484&sr=8-1&keywords=childs+history+of+the+world" target="_blank">like this</a>). Then they can play quietly with K'Nex (or some other building toy) or cuddle up with blankets while I read from a fun fiction read aloud book. So there are two phases to this read aloud time: the first focused for content and the second laid back for some fun reading. After we finish I take one kid at a time into the laundry room and they narrate one or both of the books I just read. Sometimes I sort/fold laundry during this time, but often I try to look them straight in the eye and give them my undivided attention. That is very helpful when trying to make sure they feel loved on (see <a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Really-Love-Your-Child/dp/0781439124/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1440124737&sr=8-5&keywords=how+to+really+love+your+adult+child" target="_blank">How To Really Love Your Child</a>).<br />
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At about 11:30 Olivia is usually waking up so I go and nurse her. Then I get to fixing lunch. While I am doing that Olivia is in the highchair snacking, Oliver is running around being cute, and the 4 big boys are working on any other bits of school that they can cross off on their own.<br />
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12:00 lunch time. Then Alex and Remy clean up the kitchen. This routine has been harder to get to stick because people are often going different ways working on school stuff around lunch time. There is not as clear of a beginning and ending so sometimes I have to call people back to clean up their mess. When they are done they get back to school and I am usually able to help a kid or two with some of the subjects that they need me to sit down and do with them.<br />
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1:00 (or 1:30) Rest time. I put Oliver in his toddler bed, and Olivia in her crib right next to each other. They each have a couple of pieces of play food and they just chat and then go off to sleep. When this started working for me it was SO helpful! My 4 big boys are on their beds during this hour. They can "Read, Sleep, Think, or Pray." They all have to read a certain amount for school so many of them do that during this time. I really try to have this time by myself. It makes me a much better mom in the afternoon if I can have some downtime. I also try not to be on the computer or phone. Ideally I am doing one of the options that the boys have "Read, Sleep, Think, or Pray."<br />
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2:00 I get my big 4 up and take turns helping them with whatever they need while Oliver and Olivia are still sleeping.<br />
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3:00 It would be nice if we were done by now, but we usually aren't :0). We have only been at this for a few weeks though so hopefully we will get better. But I would much rather get done at 4:30 and have some rest and fun built into the day than to get done at 3:00 and miss out on those aspects. <br />
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A few random notes.<br />
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I keep meaning to get a bit more organized about the big kids playing individually with Oliver or Olivia at certain times. However, I think the more relaxed way we have been doing it is working fine. If I need help with one of them I just ask one child to go and play with one of them. Even though my kids are on a general schedule you just can't predict when a 10 month old or a 3 year old are going to need a bit more attention!<br />
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Sometimes I will ask an older child to help a younger one with his math.<br />
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I have a little wheel with the first 5 kids names on it. Every day I rotate it so that a new child's name is lined up with "TODAY!". That day that child is the one that I ask to help me cook, or I focus on a little bit extra. That child gets to do his school stuff with me first. That child is the one I make sure to focus on in other areas besides just school. <br />
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After school they are pretty free unless I need them to do a random chore and then I just ask.<br />
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We eat at 6:00 (if it's ready by 6:00 Ha!). After dinner all the boys clean up together. Sometimes Jeremy and I pitch in and other times we are getting Oliver and Olivia ready for bed. Then the boys get ready for bed and we gather downstairs for Bible Time. Right now we alternate between <a href="http://www.seedsfamilyworship.com/" target="_blank">Seeds Family Worship</a> DVD's with hand motions, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Then-Sings-My-Soul-Greatest/dp/0785249397/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440126087&sr=8-1&keywords=then+sings+my+soul" target="_blank">Then Sings My Soul</a> (read 1 page about background of hymn and then we sing it), and Sunday School type songs. We are reading out of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/How-Really-Love-Your-Child/dp/0781439124/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1440124737&sr=8-5&keywords=how+to+really+love+your+adult+child" target="_blank">The Child's Story Bible</a> by Catherine Vos. Sometimes we will recap for Daddy the things that we learned from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Testament-Made-Simple-Melton-Short/dp/0964309602/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1440126145&sr=8-6&keywords=old+testament+made" target="_blank">The Old Testament Made Simple</a>. We also chase many rabbit trails if they come up and answer lots of questions. Then we have prayer time and the boys head off to bed. If Oliver or Olivia get too tired before we are done then I just take them up and get them settled in.<br />
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Well, that is the outline of our day. It has been so encouraging to me to have a general flow that I can count on. Of course, no two days are ever the same, but we can usually figure out what comes next since we have been creating a pattern.<br />
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Next I will post lots of links to the actual curriculum that I am using this year. I just love all this school stuff!<br />
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<br />Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07056739025138187208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11150520.post-20779673495189249232015-07-11T21:31:00.001-05:002015-07-11T21:31:10.289-05:00Checking InHello!<br />
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I was just referring back to this blog to find info about what I had used for school in the past and I thought it might be time for an update.<br />
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The biggest change since my last post is that we have a daughter! She is so much fun! It is funny how early you can see her little girl personality come out.<br />
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My boys have gotten so much bigger too. It is a real joy to have older kids! The conversations are really interesting and they are a huge blessing to me in so many ways. Parenting does get more complicated as they need help thinking through deeper issues. I'm very thankful for the Lord's guidance as we seek to give these kids wise counsel!</div>
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I am having lots of fun nailing down what we will use for school this year. I hope to get a post up soon listing my plan. That way I can look back here in the future and see it all laid out so nicely :0). I always mean to do a post later in the year telling what really happened, but I guess I get too busy living life and chasing kids and I forget to actually write the post!</div>
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<br />Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07056739025138187208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11150520.post-39962507123844973612014-03-10T23:19:00.000-05:002014-03-10T23:26:04.875-05:00Wisdom and PeaceJames 3:16-18<br />
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16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice.17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.<br />
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This jumped right off the page at me this morning. I got to "disorder and every vile practice" and thought, "What did that verse just say leads to disorder and vile practices?" When I saw selfish ambition was part of the cause it made sense. I can get selfish in my ambitions during the day with my children and that often leads to disorder!<br />
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But the last two verses gave me something to shoot for. I want that wisdom from above. The kind that is...<br />
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pure<br />
peaceable<br />
gentle<br />
open to reason<br />
full of mercy and good fruits<br />
impartial<br />
sincere<br />
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And James 1:5 says that if I lack wisdom and ask God to give it to me, He will do it!<br />
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Let's make peace by sowing a harvest of righteousness in peace.Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07056739025138187208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11150520.post-85707794060640121572013-12-20T10:48:00.000-06:002013-12-20T10:48:21.655-06:00RebuttalA few friends sent me a link to <a href="http://networkedblogs.com/S6nNs" target="_blank">Enjoying God's (Sometimes Gluten-Free) Bounty</a>. This article brings some needed balance to the posts by Toby Sumpter <a href="http://www.tobyjsumpter.com/free-range-gluten-free-yoga-vs-jesus/" target="_blank">here</a> and <a href="http://www.tobyjsumpter.com/more-on-sustainable-yoga-practices-vs-jesus/" target="_blank">here</a>. Thanks for sending me the rebuttal ladies! There are some helpful thoughts here!<br />
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<br />Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07056739025138187208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11150520.post-4377549510191495012013-11-23T22:21:00.002-06:002014-03-10T23:40:57.844-05:00Bible TimeSomeone recently asked me what we do for our evening Bible time and I typed up a reply. I thought there might be other people looking for some ideas so I tidied my e-mail up a bit and here it is. Please leave a comment if you have any questions.<br />
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We have tried lots of things for Bible time through the years and we are always changing and moving things around. But, I'll be happy to share some of the things we have done. First of all, we always try to keep the our children engaged and having a good time. We don't look at it primarily as a training time. There is a bit of training that goes on (sit in your seat, don't bother your brother, you need to be singing, etc), but most of the actual training for these things should happen at other times. Bible time should never be the hardest part of their day if you know what I mean! The basic format that we have used for quite some time is this:<br />
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Singing (1-4 songs usually depending on how much time we have)<br />
Reading the Bible<br />
Praying<br />
More singing (usually one more song).<br />
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I'll take each element and expound a bit.<br />
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<b>Singing</b> We have used:<br />
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*Chanted Psalms. My husband spent some time learning how to do this and it has really helped the boys memorize the passages easily<br />
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*Fun Sunday School type songs. Zacchaeus, Jesus Loves Me, Only a Boy Named David, Father Abraham<br />
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*Hymns. We sometimes work on ones that we sing often in church and other times use some that are simply easy for the kids to pick up and have meaty lyrics.<br />
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*Psalms (mostly word for word from the ESV) set to fun lively music. We LOVE <a href="http://www.solmusic.ca/">Jamie Soles</a> and <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t96-VOR5PTs&feature=share">Sons of Korah</a> for this.<br />
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*Children's Scripture memory songs <a href="http://www.singtheword.com/">The Harrow Family</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hide-Em-Your-Heart-Vol/dp/B001EJH4SW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385091630&sr=8-1&keywords=hide+em+in+your+heart+vol+1+%26+2">Steve Green</a> are great options.<br />
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*General Christian kids songs. Again <a href="http://www.solmusic.ca/category/discography/">Jamie Soles</a> is amazing. He is our favorite. <a href="http://www.judyrogers.com/">Judy Rogers</a> is also great.<br />
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*Contemporary Christian music. We are pretty selective about the feel of the music, but we like some of <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mXeA0G_xKc"> Matt Maher</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Greatest-Hits-Keith-Green/dp/B0016CP2GS/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1385092341&sr=1-1&keywords=keith+green">Keith Green</a> among others.<br />
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We basically mix it up, take requests, and try to create an atmosphere where they are actively participating and not embarrassed to worship God with their voices. Sometimes we will get up and dance with the kids during part of the singing time. Sometimes we all raise our hands together. When the kids are all little and are not reading yet, it can help to play some of the songs during the day. It is amazing how they pick up the words without trying!<br />
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<b>Reading the Bible</b><br />
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Earlier this year we were reading the New Testament portion of everyone's daily Bible reading. We would all read it separately (along with a bit of the Old Testament) in the morning and then when we had evening Bible time Jeremy would read it again and we could talk about it. This also helped the non-readers to feel a part and hear that passage too. However, about half way through the year we realized that our younger boys were missing some of the basic Bible stories that our older boys knew. We changed things up and brought out the children's Bibles again. We like the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Picture-Story-Bible-Book/dp/1433523914/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385092760&sr=8-1&keywords=big+picture+story+bible">Big Picture Story Bible</a> and the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Jesus-Storybook-Bible-Whispers/dp/0310708257/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385092790&sr=8-1&keywords=jesus+storybook+bible">Jesus Storybook Bible</a>. We read a passage and talk about it a lot (especially if the storybook Bible says something that is not in the actual Bible). Sometimes we like to cover large chunks of Scripture and other times we take it slow. We don't want to dumb it down, but we also want to engage them at their own level. We have used the DVD's of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Visual-Bible-Acts-Bruce-Marchiano/dp/B0002UBX4U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385094304&sr=8-1&keywords=acts+dvd">Acts</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Visual-Bible-Gerrit-Schoonhoven/dp/B0002UBX54/ref=pd_bxgy_mov_text_y">Matthew</a>. They are word for word from the text and are so helpful and bringing it to life! We just watch a chapter or two at a time and talk about them. We have also used the <a href="http://www.picturesmartbible.com/">Picture Smart Bible</a>. The kids enjoyed that a lot. It guides you in tracing (or coloring for younger kids) a picture that summarizes each book of the Bible. In the past we have used this time for Memory work and a few catechism questions, but we have moved those things into my homeschooling time during the day. The Bible reading part changes a lot based on the ages of your kids. But, I encourage people to just jump in a do something. You can always change things or tweak your plan along the way.<br />
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A VERY important aspect to this time is that we follow rabbit trails. If the kids have a question about anything at all, we usually talk about it at length and everyone ends up involved. Sometimes it comes from the text and other times it does not. But our kids know that there is no topic that is off limits. They can ask us anything and we will do our best to answer them in a thorough (and generally age appropriate) way. We have talked about work, sex, marriage, stealing, why some people don't go to church, homosexuality, whether we can trust the Bible, how we know God is real, and many other topics. Their honest questions are welcome. It is amazing what they come up with! And, as we handle all these questions we try to come across in a very gracious and loving way toward those that we might disagree with. For instance, if they ask why some people don't have communion every week, we explain why they don't, why we do, and that they are still our brothers and sisters in Christ and we are all one in Him. We don't want these conversations to raise self righteous, nit picky Christians.<br />
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<b>Praying</b><br />
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This is something that we are still working on. We always keep a short list in our minds of the people that specifically need prayer right then. We focus on thanking God for many things, We sometimes use the Psalm that we sang as a springboard for our prayer. We often end with the Lord's prayer. Sometimes only Jeremy prays and other times we all take turns, or just let whoever wants to pray. Sometimes we kneel at the couch. Other times we raise our hands and look up to the sky. We have tried to teach them to close their eyes and fold their hands when appropriate, but we also don't want them to think that is is required by the Bible (since it isn't :0). We also sometimes intercede for specific areas where the church is persecuted. We have talked about having a plan for when we pray for what or keeping some kind of journal to keep track of how God has seen fit to answer our prayers, but right now we are just praying, I did begin a book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Prayer-Saturated-Kids-Equipping-Empowering-Children/dp/1600061362/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385093656&sr=8-1&keywords=prayer+saturated+kids">Prayer Saturated Kids</a> and I look forward to the ideas that they will give in that book.<br />
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<b>Singing</b><br />
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More of the songs I mentioned above.<br />
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For a while we were doing a short Bible time in the morning as well. That has not worked with our schedules here as well and so we have just been having everyone do their individual daily reading first thing in the morning. But, I LOVE singing about the Lord with my family in the morning. What a great way to start the day! Actually, maybe I will work that in before breakfast tomorrow!<br />
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We have done our Bible time in a variety of locations. We did it around the table for a while. Sometimes if it is late then we will do it in the boy's bedroom. But, we usually do it in the living room.<br />
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We do it nearly every night, but if we get home at 11:00 then we just tuck the kids in say a quick prayer with them or just <a href="http://brandysexton.blogspot.com/2013/07/bedtime.html">kiss them goodnight</a>. We want them to know that it is a normal and regular part of our life, but that it is not a sin to skip it if we get in late. Also, when we have church on Sunday nights we don't do it after we get home from that because we look at that time with the whole church as our Bible time.<br />
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Now our older kids lead it sometimes if Jeremy is gone. We tell them they are the man of the house and they enjoy getting to pick the songs, read the Bible, and lead the prayer time. They have even done it when we were both gone and they were here with a baby sitter. This is a great time to encourage them to lead in a humble servant like way. We are careful to notice if they are lording it over their brothers and nip that in the bud. We also encourage the other brothers to accept the leadership of the boy leading and not make it hard for him to lead. So far they have responded very well.<br />
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Sometimes one or two of ours have had trouble focusing and singing loud and strong or paying attention to the Bible reading. This is a time when we really do pick our battles. As I mentioned before, we don't want it to feel like a time when they can't do anything right. We cover over a little extra during this time. But occasionally we do have to call someone out about not participating or being silly. We try not to belittle them, but we are firm in letting them know how we expect them to act and that they don't need to be hamming in up when we are reading God's word. Sometimes we have worked with them one on one to make them feel comfortable singing out or to help them develop the skill of listening and looking at someone who is reading/speaking to them.<br />
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One of the things that I think they get out of this time is watching us enjoy God's Word, singing to Him and praying to Him. We show them how to do it and they follow us. And that reminds meā¦the Devil will try to thwart your plans! Make it a priority to work with your husband in this area and encourage each other's efforts.<br />
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As I said above, don't worry about it being perfect. Start out simple and just open God's Word with your kids. You will never regret spending time that way :0).Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07056739025138187208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11150520.post-35046195921671240862013-08-15T22:03:00.000-05:002013-08-15T22:03:19.403-05:00A Spoon I read <a href="http://www.orthodoxytoday.org/articles-2009/Reardon-Virtue-Begins-With-A-Spoon.php" target="_blank">Virtue Begins with a Spoon</a> long ago and have remembered it's wise words. Here is a snippet:<br />
<br />
"Let me state my thesis outright: The quest of Wisdom commences with
learning how to eat. The most basic steps towards virtue are mastered at
the family table. Character begins with etiquette. Teach a child how
to dine like a human being, and you have gone wonderfully far in his
education."<br />
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What things does a child learn at the table? More than I thought. Please check out his post <a href="http://www.orthodoxytoday.org/articles-2009/Reardon-Virtue-Begins-With-A-Spoon.php" target="_blank">here</a> and see what he has to say.Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07056739025138187208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11150520.post-52379380221623901212013-08-08T14:04:00.001-05:002013-08-08T14:04:18.654-05:00My CreedMy Creed<br />
by Edgar Guest<br />
<br />
To live as gently as I can;<br />
To be, no matter where, a man;<br />
To take what comes of good or ill<br />
And cling to faith and honor still;<br />
To do my best, and let that stand<br />
The record of my brain and hand;<br />
And, then should failure come to me,<br />
Still work and hope for victory.<br />
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To have no secret place wherein<br />
I stoop unseen to shame or sin;<br />
To be the same when I'm alone<br />
As when my every deed is known;<br />
To live undaunted, unafraid<br />
Of any step that I have made;<br />
To be without pretense of sham<br />
Exactly what men think I am.<br />
<br />
To leave some simple mark behind<br />
To keep my having lived in mind;<br />
If enmity to aught I show,<br />
To be an honest, generous foe,<br />
To play my little part, nor whine<br />
That greater honors are not mine.<br />This, I believe, is all I need<br />
For my philosophy and creed.Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07056739025138187208noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11150520.post-41146681218161894902013-08-05T22:43:00.002-05:002013-08-05T22:43:32.529-05:00Scripture SongsThere is no easier way to get the Word of God into your head that to set it to music. We love to have music like this playing around our house and in the car. It's amazing how much you can memorize just by singing along. Here are some that we enjoy. The albums that I mention are word for word scripture and most of these links have samples to the music.<br />
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<a href="http://www.solmusic.ca/category/discography/" target="_blank">Jamie Soles</a> Ascending, Pure Words, and Songs From the 40s, 50s, and 60s <br />
<a href="http://bluebehemoth.com/artist/4828/" target="_blank">The Sterlings</a> <br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=sons%20of%20korah&sprefix=sons+of+k%2Caps&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Asons%20of%20korah" target="_blank">Sons of Korah</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hide-Em-Your-Heart-Vol/dp/B001EJH4SW/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1375759728&sr=8-2&keywords=steve+green" target="_blank">Steve Green </a>and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hide-Em-Your-Heart-Worship/dp/B008GOAESU/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1375759811&sr=8-10&keywords=steve+green" target="_blank">here</a><br />
<a href="http://www.singtheword.com/" target="_blank">The Harrow Family</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Never-Be-Shaken-Judy-Rogers/dp/5550043734/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375759939&sr=8-1&keywords=judy+rogers+never+be+shaken" target="_blank">Judy Rogers</a> Never Be Shaken <br />
<a href="http://www.generationcedar.com/main/our-products/scripture-cd" target="_blank">Kelly Crawford</a> The download is half off right now!<br />
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Jame Soles, and Judy Rogers also have WONDERFUL children's CDs that are full of meaty lyrics that help your whole family understand the Bible better. Jeremy and I love them as much as the kids do. Both are highly recommended!<br />
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<br />Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07056739025138187208noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11150520.post-36988436977647168842013-07-29T21:07:00.001-05:002013-07-30T00:24:13.193-05:00School Curriculum 2013-2014First, I would like to say that I post this because I REALLY enjoy reading what others have posted on this topic. It has helped me a great deal to look at what others have used year after year. Each family has such different needs that there is no one-size-fits-all plan. But, this is our plan for this year. <b>*Check out the Art/Music/History section for something I am really excited about.* </b> I have Aiden in 5th grade, Alex in 4th, Riley in 2nd, Remy in Kindergarten and Oliver (14 months) getting into things, climbing on top of stuff, and being adorable :0).<br />
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Second, I need to briefly summarize how things work around here. I keep my kids moving at their own grade/learning level in the skill areas: reading, writing, grammar, spelling, handwriting, math, and Greek. Those are things that kids have to learn how to do incrementally. They are also the things that teach them how to teach themselves. We lump the rest together and do it as a family as much as we can (see <a href="http://preschoolersandpeace.com/circle-time/" target="_blank">Circle Time</a>). Science, history, Bible, poetry, art, music, etc. are content areas. They are things that the kids are going to learn about again and again. You can never teach them ALL of it, but it's my goal to give them access to a ton of different things from lots of different categories in a fun way.<br />
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So, to sum up, we focus on nailing the three R's (Reading wRiting, and aRithmetic) and then just have fun with the rest. Here is our plan for this year.<br />
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<b>Aiden (5th Grade)</b><br />
Reading: Assigned fiction books from me and lots of other "just for fun" books<br />
Writing: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Writer-Writing-Workbook/dp/1933339535/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375072840&sr=8-1&keywords=writing+with+skill+level+1" target="_blank">Writing with Skill level 1</a><br />
Spelling: <a href="http://www.allaboutlearningpress.com/all-about-spelling" target="_blank">All About Spelling</a><br />
Grammar: <a href="http://www.milestonebooks.com/item/1-125--/?list=Building_Christian_English_Series" target="_blank">Rod and Staff Grammar level 5</a> <br />
Vocabulary: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vocabulary-Classical-Roots-SET--Student-Answer/dp/B004CSWX1A/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1375073096&sr=8-2&keywords=vocabulary+from+classical+roots+4" target="_blank">Vocabulary from Classical Roots</a><br />
Math: <a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/024426/deabe3acd7378d5c5ae6a6ae" target="_blank">Saxon level 6/5</a><br />
Greek: <a href="http://www.greeknstuff.com/andrew.html" target="_blank">Hey Andrew Teach Me Some Greek level 3</a><br />
Piano lessons<br />
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<b>Alex (4th Grade)</b><br />
Reading:Assigned fiction books from me and lots of other "just for fun" books <br />
Writing: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Writer-Workbook-Writing/dp/1933339314/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375073282&sr=8-1&keywords=writing+with+ease+4" target="_blank">Writing with Ease level 4</a><br />
Spelling: <a href="http://www.allaboutlearningpress.com/all-about-spelling" target="_blank">All About Spelling</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Explode-Code-Book-Three-Half/dp/0838817750/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375073347&sr=8-1&keywords=explode+the+code+3+1%2F2" target="_blank">Explode the Code book 3 1/2</a><br />
Grammar: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/First-Language-Lessons-Well-Trained-Mind/dp/1933339330/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375073378&sr=8-1&keywords=first+language+lessons+4" target="_blank">First Language Lessons level 4</a><br />
Handwriting: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Italic-Handwriting-Series-Book-D/dp/096492157X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375073410&sr=8-1&keywords=italic+d" target="_blank">Italic book D </a><br />
Math: <a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/024422/deabe3acd7378d5c5ae6a6ae" target="_blank">Saxon level 5/4</a><br />
Greek: <a href="http://www.greeknstuff.com/andrew.html" target="_blank">Hey Andrew Teach Me Some Greek level 3</a><br />
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<b>Riley (2nd Grade)</b><br />
Reading: Assigned fiction books from me and lots of other "just for fun" books<br />
Writing: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Writer-Workbook-Writing/dp/1933339292/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375073311&sr=8-1&keywords=writing+with+ease+2" target="_blank">Writing with Ease level 2</a><br />
Spelling: <a href="http://www.allaboutlearningpress.com/all-about-spelling" target="_blank">All About Spelling</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Explode-Code-3-Nancy-Hall/dp/083881462X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375073474&sr=8-1&keywords=explode+the+code+3" target="_blank">Explode the Code book 3</a><br />
Grammar: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/First-Language-Lessons-Well-Trained-Mind/dp/1933339454/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375073526&sr=8-1&keywords=first+language+lessons+2" target="_blank">First Language Lessons level 2</a><br />
Handwriting: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Italic-Handwriting-Series-Book-C/dp/B004NFOE1Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375073566&sr=8-1&keywords=italic+c" target="_blank">Italic book C</a><br />
Math: <a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/001526/deabe3acd7378d5c5ae6a6ae" target="_blank">Saxon level 2</a><br />
Greek: <a href="http://www.greeknstuff.com/andrew.html" target="_blank">Hey Andrew Teach Me Some Greek level 2</a><br />
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<b>Remy (Kindergarten)</b><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ordinary-Parents-Guide-Teaching-Reading/dp/0972860312/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375073627&sr=8-1&keywords=ordinary+parents+guide+to+teaching+reading" target="_blank">Ordinary Parent's Guide to Teaching Reading</a> LOVE this book. I've used it with all my boys.<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Get-Ready-Code-Nancy-Hall/dp/0838817807/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375073707&sr=8-1&keywords=get+ready+for+the+code" target="_blank">Get Ready For the Code</a><br />
<a href="http://heavenlyhomemakers.com/learn-your-letters-learn-to-serve-complete-curriculum-kit" target="_blank">Learn Your Letters Learn to Serve</a> This is my first year using this and I LOVE it! It is a fun crafty program that is extremely low key and user friendly. My favorite part is that each week you are thinking of people who's name begins with the letter of the week. You pray for them and make something for them and deliver it (or you could serve them in some way). This has been GREAT for Remy. He looks them in the eye and says, "I made this for you." We made little notes to hand to them explaining what he is doing.<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mathematical-ReasoningTM-Level-Doug-Brumbaugh/dp/0894558846/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375073786&sr=8-1&keywords=mathematical+reasoning+a" target="_blank">Mathematical Reasoning level A</a><br />
Lots of picture books that begin with the letter of the week. <br />
<a href="http://www.allaboutlearningpress.com/all-about-spelling" target="_blank">All About Spelling</a> We are easing into this and using it mainly to teach the phonograms. Nothing too heavy, but it helps with his phonics skills.<br />
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<b>**The Things We Do All Together**</b><br />
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<b>Bible</b>- Our most important subject. The first part of <a href="http://raisingolives.com/2013/06/joy-homeschooling-toddler-tantrums-moms-qa/" target="_blank">this post</a> has some good things to say on the subject. We try to get them used to reading it as a discipline while also making it something they truly enjoy and something our family enjoys talking about together.<br />
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Aiden and Alex are reading through the Bible in a year with the same schedule that Jeremy and I are using. Riley is reading the New Testament part of our schedule. At 7:30 we are all in the living room reading our own selections for that day (one of the kids goes outside to read...he says it's more quiet :0). Remy looks at a picture Bible if he is up at this time. Then in the evening when we do our family Bible time Jeremy reads the New Testament reading for the day and we chat about it. That way the readers are hearing for the second time and usually have something to say about it and Remy gets to hear it even though he can't read it himself yet. We also pray and sing songs during this evening time.<br />
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Aiden, Alex, and Riley copy a portion of the Bible each day. Right now they are working through Psalm 119. We read one chapter from Proverbs at lunch (the chapter that matches the day of the month). I can't say enough about reading Proverbs to your kids. It helps them and me as we work through discipline issues throughout the day. <br />
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Prayer is another focus of the year. We want to help the kids learn how to pray and for it to be a natural part of their life. I'm reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Prayer-Saturated-Kids-Equipping-Empowering-Children/dp/1600061362/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375152264&sr=8-1&keywords=prayer+saturated+kids" target="_blank">Prayer Saturated Kids</a> for some practical ideas.<br />
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I also want to start using <a href="http://raisingolives.com/2009/03/homeschooling-memorization-system-tutorial/" target="_blank">this plan</a> for scripture memory again.<br />
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Aiden and Alex are reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Really-Biblical-Worldview-Believe-Volume/dp/1935495070/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375073945&sr=8-1&keywords=who+is+god" target="_blank">Who is God</a> together as often as they can comfortably fit it in.<br />
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<b>Art/Music/History</b>- This is my first year to really get creative and have fun with things in my own way. A friend of mine from church told me about a popular co-op that teaches history to the upper grades in a unique way. They teach about scientists (their lives and inventions) and how they impacted history (or were affected by the period of history they were in). I thought I could do the same thing with artists and composers! So I picked out some of the most popular artists and composers and organized them in order of date. I'm going to try to cover artists and composers from the same time period at the same time. I am keeping it low key. I'm just reading books about them, looking at pictures, listening to music, and doing art projects that I never used to make time for. Here are some of the resources I am using:<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_21?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=getting%20to%20know%20the%20world%27s%20greatest%20artists&sprefix=getting+to+know+the+w%2Caps%2C184&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Agetting%20to%20know%20the%20world%27s%20greatest%20artists" target="_blank">Getting to Know the World's Greatest Artists</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=What+makes+a+Muhlberger&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3AWhat+makes+a+Muhlberger" target="_blank">What Makes A Monet a Monet</a> (and others in the series)<br />
Books by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Diane+Stanley&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3ADiane+Stanley" target="_blank">Diane Stanley</a><br />
Books by <a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=lawrence+anholt&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Alawrence+anholt" target="_blank">Laurence Anholt </a> <br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Anholts-Artists-Activity-Laurence-Anholt/dp/1438001142/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375074866&sr=8-1&keywords=anholt+activity" target="_blank">Activity book</a> by Laurence Anholt that goes with his picture books <br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=smart%20about%20art&sprefix=smart+about+a%2Caps&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Asmart%20about%20art" target="_blank">Smart About Art</a> series<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=who+was+series&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Awho+was+series" target="_blank">Who Was Pablo Picasso</a> (and others in the series)<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Educational-Trivia-Card-Game-Professor/dp/B002JP9GZY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375074965&sr=8-1&keywords=professor+noggin+art" target="_blank">Professor Noggins History of Art</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Famous-Painting-Cards-Sarah-Courtauld/dp/1409524086/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1375075038&sr=8-1&keywords=usborne+art+cards" target="_blank">Usborne Art Flash Cards</a> and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Impressionist-Paintings-Sarah-Courtauld/dp/1409524094/ref=pd_sim_b_1" target="_blank">these</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Usborne-Book-Famous-Paintings/dp/0794525423/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1375075113&sr=1-1&keywords=usborne+book+of+famous+paintings" target="_blank">Usborne Book of Famous Paintings</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Life-Leonardo-Vinci-Stories-History/dp/0769646980/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1375075172&sr=1-1&keywords=the+life+of+leonardo+da+vinci+hodge" target="_blank">The Life of Leonardo DaVinci</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Story-Painting-Abigail-Wheatley/dp/0794516785/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1375075203&sr=1-3&keywords=the+story+of+painting" target="_blank">The Story of Painting</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Story-Sticker-Book-Sarah-Courtauld/dp/1409532771/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1375075233&sr=1-1&keywords=the+story+of+art+sticker+book" target="_blank">The Story of Art Sticker Book</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lifelines-Leonardo-DaVinci-Steve-Augarde/dp/0753466740/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1375075270&sr=1-2&keywords=Steve+Augarde%27s+Leonardo+DaVinci" target="_blank">Steve Augarde's Leonardo DaVinci</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Discovering-Great-Artists-Hands--Children/dp/0935607099/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1375075323&sr=1-1&keywords=discovering+the+worlds+great+artists" target="_blank">Discovering Great Artists </a><br />
<a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/025852/deabe3acd7378d5c5ae6a6ae" target="_blank">Artistic Pursuits</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_22?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=getting%20to%20know%20the%20world%27s%20greatest%20composers&sprefix=getting+to+know+the+wo%2Caps%2C185" target="_blank">Getting to Know the World's Greatest Composers</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=opal%20wheeler&sprefix=opal+w%2Cstripbooks&rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3Aopal%20wheeler" target="_blank">Opal Wheeler Biographies</a> of composers<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Gift-Music-Expanded-Revised-3rd/dp/089107869X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1375075495&sr=1-1&keywords=the+gift+of+music" target="_blank">The Gift of Music</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Classical-Music-Dummies-David-Pogue/dp/0764550098/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1375075525&sr=1-1&keywords=classical+music+for+dummies" target="_blank">Classical Music for Dummies</a><br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dpopular&field-keywords=classical+kids&rh=n%3A5174%2Ck%3Aclassical+kids" target="_blank">Beethovan Lives Upstairs</a> and other Classical Kids CDs<br />
<a href="http://www.nestlearning.com/leonardo-da-vinci-activity-and-coloring-book-instant-download_p43302.aspx" target="_blank">Nest Entertainment History Videos</a><br />
<a href="http://www.visionforum.com/browse/product/music-masters-classical-music-worldview-curriculum/default.aspx" target="_blank">Children's Music Masters</a> CDs<br />
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Masters-Renaissance-Jim-Weiss/dp/B000OPOCHS" target="_blank">Masters of the Renaissance</a> by Jim Weiss<br />
Any other great biographies I found.<br />
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<b>Poetry</b>- I don't know much about poetry, but we are jumping in anyway. I am simply reading a poem every day by the same author for a week or more. That is it. We are just getting our feet wet one poet at a time. One of the ones we are starting with is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Favorite-verse-Edgar-A-Guest/dp/B0007HJNNQ/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1375075937&sr=8-7&keywords=edgar+guest+poetry" target="_blank">here</a>.<br />
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<b>Science</b>-We took the plunge and signed up for a <a href="http://www.superchargedscience.com/" target="_blank">Supercharged Science Mastery Program</a>. Aiden LOVES science and wants to do projects all the time. I spent about a month researching and did not find any negative reviews for this program and tons of really impressed moms. So far...we love it too! It looks like just what we have been wanting. It is a bit confusing to figure out what is available so contact me if you want some more info.<br />
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<b>Read Alouds</b>-I am just picking great books to read aloud to the kids. I sometimes use this time for chapter books about artists or composers, but I also take breaks from that and read a classic book or extra picture books.<br />
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Last, but not least, we make sure the boys fit in exercise, playing outside, and enjoying nature. And we encourage them to think of ways to serve people on a regular basis. <br />
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Well, that about sums it up! Thanks for stopping by.<br />
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<br />Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07056739025138187208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11150520.post-384619557378384832013-07-21T21:15:00.001-05:002013-07-21T21:15:10.094-05:00Dressed for SuccessHow do you look most mornings at 10:00 a.m.? How do your children see you each day? Are you ready for the job that you have to do? Are you dressed for it? <br />
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Here are two articles that I read long ago and I remember them both often.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flylady.net/d/getting-started/flying-lessons/dressed-to-shoes/" target="_blank">Dressing to the Shoes by Flylady</a><br />
I have been doing this for years and it makes a big difference in feeling ready to go. <br />
<a href="http://charlottesiems.com/view-childhood-importance-appearance-home" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="http://charlottesiems.com/view-childhood-importance-appearance-home" target="_blank">The View from Childhood by Charlotte Siems</a><br />
I would also say that you can look cute and put together in a cute pair of sweats, a t-shirt, and some tennis shoes. The point I got from her article is to fix your hair, put some make-up and earrings on, and look nice. Don't wear stained, dingy looking clothes just because you might get spit up on. I do have a cute apron and use it daily.<br />
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One more thing. You are never fully dressed without a smile. It might sound cheesy, but it is true! A smile is always the most wonderful accessory to make you look and feel your best.Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07056739025138187208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11150520.post-8768950251714953292013-07-10T21:47:00.000-05:002013-07-10T21:47:02.945-05:00Lullabies<a href="http://www.michaelcard.com/" target="_blank">Michael Card</a> says in the case of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Sleep-Sound-Jesus-Gentle-Lullabies/dp/B0007NZV9U/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1373509630&sr=8-2&keywords=sleep+sound+in+jesus" target="_blank">Sleep Sound in Jesus:</a><br />
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"Lullabies come around three times in the course of a lifetime. When we are babies, if we are fortunate, we hear them sung to us by our parents. When we are parents, if we are wise, we sing them to our babies. Then when we are grandparents, if we are especially blessed, we have that last wonderful chance to sing them again as we gaze into a little face, bits and pieces of which remind us of all our loved ones.<br />
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Beyond their covert purpose of coercing an infant to sleep, lullabies are songs we sing to show the love we have for our children, to show them our concern and to simply let them know we are there with them in this dark and fallen situation. Lullabies can be simple didactic songs wherein we teach our infants with the rhythms and sounds of Scripture. They can also be blessings wherein we plant the seeds of dreams, dreams which never completely leave them.<br />
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Lullabies are also songs we sing to ourselves. They help reinforce the love which abides sometimes too deep within our hearts. They are tools to bring it to the surface. They remind us of our protective and comforting roles as parents. They are artful ways of loving our children.<br />
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Finally, lullabies are songs we sing to God. They can be prayers of thanksgiving, petitions for angelic protection or simple prayers of adoration for the gift of God we are trying to sing to sleep.<br />
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At the heart of it all, what lullabies are basically about is loving~loving our children and loving God and maybe even loving ourselves a little as in one of those rarest of moments we know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that we are doing exactly the right thing~loving our children and God and singing simple, sleepy songs to both of them"<br />
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I just loved this when I read it. I will also add the idea that it is a time to instill bravery and courage into our boys. What better way to combat scary things at night than to sing to my boys about brave men and women who have gone before them. With all of this in mind I'll share the lyrics to Oliver's favorite bedtime hymn.<br />
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Rise Again Ye Lionhearted<br />
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<div class="ui-tabs-panel ui-widget-content ui-corner-bottom" id="text">
1 Rise again, ye lion-hearted<br />
Saints of early Christendom.<br />
Whither is your strength departed,<br />
Whither gone your martyrdom?<br />
Lo, love's light is on them,<br />
Glory's flame upon them,<br />
And their will to die doth quell<br />
E'en the lord and prince of hell.<br />
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2 These the saints by fear unshaken<br />
Facing danger dauntlessly;<br />
These no witching lust hath taken,<br />
Lust that lures to vanity.<br />
Mid the roar and rattle<br />
Of tumultuous battle<br />
In desire they soar above<br />
All that earth would have them love.<br />
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3 Great of heart, they know no turning,<br />
Honor, gold, they laugh to scorn,<br />
Quench desires within them burning,<br />
By no earthly passion torn.<br />
Mid the lions' roaring,<br />
Songs of praise outpouring,<br />
Joyously they take their stand<br />
On th'arena's bloody sand.<br />
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4 Would to God that I might even <br />
As the martyred saints of old,<br />
With the helping hand of Heaven,<br />
Steadfast stand in battle bold! <br />
O my God, I pray Thee,<br />
In the combat stay me.<br />
Grant that I may ever be<br />
Loyal, staunch, and true to Thee.</div>
Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07056739025138187208noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-11150520.post-69364534571763307752013-07-09T22:59:00.002-05:002013-07-09T22:59:57.435-05:00BedtimeClay Trumbull wrote a wonderful little book entitled <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hints-Child-Training-Clay-Trumbull/dp/1610101103/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373427015&sr=8-1&keywords=hints+on+child+training" target="_blank">Hints on Child Training</a> over 100 years ago. It has been a while since I read it, but the last chapter has really stuck with me. It was about bedtime. <br />
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Bedtime is one of the most important times of the day with your children. The words that you speak to them at that hour ring in their ears while they lie there drifting off to sleep. They are more vulnerable and receptive at that time than any other time of day. If you take time to listen they will often tell you things that you would otherwise miss. Even a teenage boy does not quickly outgrown a goodnight kiss from his mom.<br />
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And yet, bedtime can be one of the most stress-full time of day for parents. We are ready to be "off duty." We grow weary of the requests that stall turning off the light.<br />
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Realizing how important bedtime is in the lives of our children should make us take a step back and send them off to bed with a blessing from us. Leave them with a snuggle, a smile, or a back scratch. Ask them how their day was and let them know that you feel blessed to be their mom. Read them one more story. Say "I'd be happy to" when they ask you to bring them a drink. Tell each one of them that you look forward to seeing them in the morning. Pray a blessing over them.<br />
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Let those things bounce around in their head while they drift off to sleep.Brandyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07056739025138187208noreply@blogger.com0