Help! ... Look Up

I don't know how many of you are like me right now, but I could use a little help!  Help in getting through these last few weeks of lessons.  I'm sure there are more than a few of us homeschool moms in the same boat.  Maybe some of you are finished already.  That's great!  And to you -- I stick my tongue out at you.  Just kidding.  I am a little jealous though.  But here at the Wade School for Boys (haha, sounds like a correctional institution doesn't it?), we still need to finish up, and I'm trying my best to finish strong.  Or at least finish!  :-)

It's just so hard to focus when the weather is so nice.  And then there's the rush to get to all the cool places before school lets out and it gets crowded.  Anyone with me on this?!  Don't get me wrong, I like people, just not crowds of people!  Anyway, where was I?  See how easily distracted I am?   Oh, yes.  Help.  Lots of it, please.  

I've marked my boys books to where they need to be in order to close out this school year.  Now they are working away to get to that point as fast as they can.  I'm just trying to keep myself focused so I can encourage them in their work.  I think it may be harder for me than for them!  

As some of us struggle through these last few days and weeks, let's try to look up for our help.  I love Psalm 121 and those first two verses tell us where to look for help.  I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence comes my help.  My help comes from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.  

If it's your desire to finish up strong, and get 2011-2012 behind you - cry out to the Lord.  He hears.  He'll help.

Heart Work

No amount of effort will make our kids godly.  That is the work of the Holy Spirit and our daily dependence on Him.  - Sally Clarkson

A friend and homeschool support group leader shared that with our group after hearing Mrs. Clarkson speak.  I read the quote and the first thought that came to mind is, "how freeing!  The burden is off of me and on the Holy Spirit."

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.  Matthew 11:30  

There is still much work to be done in training our children in the ways of the Lord, but our focus needs to be on Jesus.  Faithfully walking with the Lord and sharing that walk, and God's truth, with our kids.  But the Heart work is His.  Not mine.

Week 2: Learning the New Testament

Well, week two proved to be a little harder than week one.  It was a challenge to remember the events and sequence, so a friend resorted to taking notes for us.  I know. We cheated.  But it's for a good cause!  I do hope to get this down really well and be able to present  it as a series of lessons to our Truth Town kids at church.  

Picking up where we left off last week, or I guess the week before last since I'm late in posting, is the next sequence of places and events and which event happened where.  (Not sure of some of the spelling.)

Jerusalem

    2nd birth
Sychar
    Woman at the well
Nazareth
    Rejected
Capernaum
    Selection of the 12
    Sermon on the mount
    Power over Satan
    Parables start
    Storm stilled
    Crowd filled
    Testing of Peter
    Transfiguration
Jerusalem
    Stones flew, Jesus withdrew
Periya  
    Counting the cost
    Seeking the lost

Week 1: Learning the New Testament

A friend asked if several homeschool kids could gather at a local church for a friend to practice her Walk Thru the Bible lessons as part of her training.  I thought it sounded interested.  Today was the first meeting.  wow!  Very neat.  The lessons are taught with simple hand motions and words as well as props.  Her focus for this group is the New Testament.  There are seventy-something motions and words that tell about the events, places and people of the NT in chronological order.  Here are the ones we learned today, minus the hand signs.  I'm trying to do them as I type :-)

400 years - Silent
Malachi - Matthew
Powers
Greece - Language
Israel - Hope
Rome - Roads
Politics
Sanhedrin
Scribes
Sadducee
Pharisees
Publicans
Zealots
Four distinct views
One Good News
Bethlehem - Birth
Nazareth - Carpenter
Jordan - Baptized by John
Wilderness - Tempted by Satan

It is surprisingly simple to remember, which I guess is the point.

I loved the reminder of how God was still working even during those silent years between Malachi and Matthew.  He used the Greeks to spread a common language, renewed the Jewish people's hope in God, and allowed the Romans to create a road system all in order to aid the spread of the gospel.  Silent but still working.

Oh and a bonus - this blew my mind.  It's not hard to remember 66 books in the Bible, but remembering how many are in each of the testaments is a little challenging.

How many books in the Old Testament?  Well, how many letters in 'old'? 3.  How many letters in testament? 9 - 39 books in the Old Testament.  How many books in the New Testament?  Well, what's 3x9?  27 books in the New Testament.  Super neat!  How did I not know this?!

"For Real" School

High School seems so much more "for real" for some reason, and with that comes more pressure, or maybe I should say perceived pressure.  The reality is you just keep doing what needs to be done, just like every other homeschooling year.

Thankfully, Texas is homeschool friendly.  Actually, in Texas homeschools are considered private schools and are able to set their own standards and requirements for course of study.  However, I thought it best to stick close to what our local requirements are, with a few modifications.  I consulted my state's education website, as well as local school districts, to see what courses and credits they require.  I used this as a guide when considering my course of study.  If college is in the future, it is also recommended to see what their admission requirements are, which I've also done.  Two other helpful resources have been Debra Bell's book, The Ultimate Guide to Homeschooling Teens and Janice Campbell's Easy Transcripts.

Once I had it all written out it my stress level dropped.  Now it's just a matter of working the plan.  Of course, some curriculum choices may change and a few blanks remain to allow for special interests or changes in interest.  It's still a big responsibility to make sure it all gets done, but just like most other things you just take one step at a time, and that first step of working out a plan is DONE!  And when you know what needs to be done - you just do it!

Course                       Credits Required

English                                    4
Math                                       4
Science                                   4
Social Studies                          3.5
Economics                                 .5
Foreign Language                    2
PE                                           1
Fine Arts                                  1
Speech                                      .5
Electives                                  5.5

Freshman Year

English I:  Excellence in Writing & Introduction to Poetry

Math:  Teaching Textbooks Algebra I

Science:  Apologia Physical Science

Social Studies:  Monarch World Geography

Foreign Language:  Monarch Spanish I

Physical Education:

Electives:  Bible & Guitar 


Sophomore Year

English II:  Notgrass

Math:  Teaching Textbooks Algebra II

Science:  Apologia Biology

Social Studies:  Notgrass World History

Foreign Language:  Monarch Spanish II

Electives:  Bible & Guitar 

Junior Year

English III:  Notgrass

Math:  Teaching Textbooks Geometry

Science:  Apologia Chemistry

Social Studies:  Notgrass Exploring America

Fine Arts: 

Electives:  Bible, Technology & Guitar 

Senior Year

English IV: 

Math:  Teaching Textbooks Pre-Calculus

Science:  Apologia Physics

Social Studies:  Notgrass Exploring Government

Economics:  Notgrass Exploring Economics

Speech:  EIW Speech

Electives:  Bible & Guitar

Times Trick

I just saw the 9x finger trick on Pinterest.  I've used that for as long as I can remember, but it made me think of another trick.

Brock was working on these one day and he started explaining a new way to figure out the 9x.  I had never heard of this and as far as I know he figured this out on his own, if he saw or heard it somewhere he's keeping it a secret.  Either way it is quite helpful, a couple of more steps than the finger trick, but good problem solving practice anyway.

Let's take 6x9. Your tens place number will be one less than the factor that is not 9 (in this case 6), so that would be  5.  Your ones place number will be the difference between 10 and the number nine is multiplied by so that would be 10-6=4.  That makes the product 54.  It only works up to 10x9; but pretty cool, huh?

Getting Ready for High School

High School?! (Gasp!)  Wow, time does fly.  I've spent a little time this past week gathering resources to plan Braden's high school course of study.  I found our state's, as well as our local school districts, requirements for graduation.  I know I don't have to follow it, but it is a good guide to work from.  Plus, it will provide the needed credit hours required for entrance to most colleges, should that be in his future.

I'm most concerned about grade and record keeping.  I've not kept grades or formal records in these younger years, just worked to mastery and kept current lesson work on hand.  I found the HSLDA high school section of their website helpful.  They recommended Transcripts Made Easy .  I downloaded the ebook.  I'm hopeful it will be easy to follow.  Kathleen Duncan was also a recommendation, but I don't see her seminar schedule in my area any time soon.  I'll keep watching though.

Any 'high school help' recommendations would be appreciated.

Getting It All Together

Behind me sits most all our books for the upcoming school year.  Gathered together it seems like a lot! 

I just checked HSLDA's website and pulled up Texas' requirements.  We are very blessed here, with little to no restrictions.  The HSLDA analysis says, "Homeschools can legally operate as private schools in Texas" and "Homeschools must be conducted in a bona fide manner, using a written curriculum consisting of reading, spelling, grammar, math and a course in good citizenship; no other requirements apply." 

I think we have our bases covered.  Here's what we have:

Braden 13years
Bible/History/Geography/Literature - Notgrass America the Beautiful
Math - BJUP Fundamentals of Math
Grammar - Step by Step Grammar Vol. 1
Science - Apologia General Science
Vocab/Spelling - Critical Thinking Word Roots

Brock 10years
Bible - BJUP Bible Truths 5
History - BJUP Heritage Studies 5
Math - BJUP Math 4
Grammar/Writing/Reading - BJUP English 4
Handwriting - BJUP Handwriting 5
Spelling - Sequential Spelling
Science - Abeka Investigating God's World

For our planning this year I bought them each 'The Homechool Student Planner'.  Of course I'll be right alongside them and giving them the materials I choose for them; but I want to slowly work towards them keeping track and setting their own goals. We'll see how that goes! 

How's your school year coming together?

Praise

Computer troubles and lots of things going on lately are keeping me from blog land.  It seems I tend to have only little season of blogging! 

I love it when I clearly see God moving and working.  I had looked into joining a homeschool group in my area and also possibly helping to start a homeschool co-op in our church.  Well, the Lord clearly shut the door to the whole co-op thing for the time being.  That was a good thing, and felt so by all involved. 

I did join the HS group and what a blessing that has been, even in the short amount of time I've been a member.  I don't think I realized how much I needed "face time" with other homeschooling moms!  There are so many opportunities to fellowship with other homeschoolers, but in a relaxed environment and without having to make a weekly committment.  We've played soccer, went crawdad fishing, and already made new friends.  Praise God, he meets needs I didn't even know I had! 

He is Risen! 

     

Super Duper Busy

"I'm running around like a chicken head" - say that in an Indian (from India) accent - I used to work for a doctor and when we got really busy that's what she would say.  It still cracks me up just thinking about it!  She was so cute.  Anyway...... 

That's me this week, at least I still have my head, I think!  I've had work days and meetings at the church this week.  Hopefully, we will be getting a new pastor soon.  We are also preparing for our Ladies Tea, or Simplici-Tea, as we are calling it this year.  Amidst all that I'm trying to deal with our math woes.  I think I have that figured out though.  Math-U-See should be arriving tomorrow for Braden.  Hopefully by Saturday afternoon I'll be able to take a breather!

Springing and Reading

Well, spring is "springing" down here! We had some pop-up storms yesterday afternoon, which is typical of our North Texas springtime.  I think we must have had a tiny little downburst or whirlwind or something yesterday, because I've never heard the wind come through our chimney like I did yesterday.  I thought the chimney was getting torn off.  Several things were "taken" from our back patio and window screens were torn off too. 


Reading is slow right now. Haven't felt well and my mind has been swirling the last several days. I've been tweaking our schedule and materials a little. I think I'm finally settling down though.  I had to take a step back and really remember the why and the goals for our homeschooling.  That's another post when I have more time. 

I finished "Amish Love". It was so nice of Jenn to share it with me.  It was a good, late night, mindless read. I agree with Jenn it was not very well written, but I did enjoy it.

If anyone is ever interested in reading "Amish" novels I recommend Beverly Lewis. She really incorporates the Amish culture and history into her writing. I feel like I "know" the Amish from reading her books. Her books are very different from books like "Amish Love". I don't consider her books to be "romance" novels at all. I always come away from reading her books wanting to work a little harder and appreciate nature a little more. She is spiritually encouraging as well.  The first series of hers I read was Abram's Daughters beginning with "The Covenant".  That series remains my favorite.     

A few books I have going right now are "Little Men", although I'm not that far into it. I've been reading some Catherine Levison books on Charlotte Mason Education right now too.  As well as "Hearing and Reading, Telling and Writing" by Sonya Shafer from Simply Charlotte Mason.  These last few are helping me to regroup and gather my wits about me!   

I'm Melting, Melting

You know like from the Wizard of Oz   hehe :-)  I've been trying this past week to pull myself out of my "meltdown".  Have you had a homeschool mom meltdown?  You know where you panic, even ever so slightly, that your doing it all wrong.  Well, that's been me this past week.  I think I'm on the upswing now of my little down turn, sticking to my course and really praying for guidance for any changes that need to be made, or none at all.  I'm finding it hard to put into words right now so I'll just keep praying... 

I walked out the back door other day to this scene.  I thought it was funny, took the picture and then got on to them for climing with their guitars in hand.  :-)

Yes, We Still Homeschool

I just realized that from reading my blog you might think all I do is sit around crafting all day.  Not so!  Yes, we are a homeschooling family! 

Currently most days go something like this:

Start the "school" day out around 9am.  Actually, ALL day is considered as a learning oppprtunity, but what I mean here is formal lessons or table time and couch time.  Those are the places we choose to do most of our lessons. 

The boys like to get a few independent things completed first.

Brock - Handwriting/Copywork, Spelling, Silent Reading & Typing

Braden - Spelling, History, Math, Literature & Typing

Around 9:30 we meet on the couch and read/recite and discuss our Scripture Focus.  Then I read aloud, our current book is Hero Tales (missionary stories). We also read and discuss Science at this time and review our Greek and Latin roots.  Read various poetry selections, too. 

When we are finished with our couch time the boys go back to their independent work and I take turns working with each as needed. 

Brock and I read his history lesson together and discuss/narrate.  We also take turns reading aloud a literature selection, right now it's Farmer Boy.  After that we go over the days math lesson and he goes back to working independently.

Braden and I will work together on grammar, spanish, and starting next week, logic and reasoning excercises using The Fallacy Detective.  We also discuss his history lesson and anything else that needs clarification.

The boys like to be finished by lunch time.  Sometimes that happens and sometimes it doesn't.  I think Braden would wake up at 'dark-thirty' just to make sure he finishes early though!  He's my get-it-done boy.  Brock's my dawdler (I try, I try, *sigh*), he's slowly starting to 'get it' though.  He can't stand it when Braden is finished up and he still has lessons to complete.

The afternoon is usually left open to creative pursuits.  Right now that is mostly music related.  Braden is learning guitar and Brock is drumming. Yes, you read that correctly - drumming!  I know, we are crazy people.  I do love hearing him beat it out while singing "There is a Fountain - who is the Ki-i-ing - victorious Warrior - my God and Lord of Everythi-i-ing - My Rock, My Shelter -(a big BOOM, BOOM, BOOM goes here) My very o-o-own Blessed Redeemer - Who reigns upon the thro-o-one"  Good stuff!  Braden's still trying to put it all together but has come up with some little tunes of his own and is learning some worship songs and hymns.  I'm impressed with his progress as he's teaching himself with some help from his uncle.  I'm toying with the idea of downloading Penny Gardner's Nine-Note Recorder Method.  I have some funny desire to try it out for myself.  I would like to learn to play hymns and use it for our hymn study.  

I haven't been a part of a homeschool group in several years and have felt like it's time.  I hope to attend a meeting in March and see what I think.  Also, a few ladies from church are looking to get a homeschool co-op organized.  If anyone has any tips - let me know.  Or if you have posts on your blog regarding co-op experiences let me know.

Well, that's my homeschool ramble for now.  I think I'll play with the page feature here on Blogger and add a homeschool page with the curriculum we are using.