Homeschool Week in Review ~ August 29 - September 2, 2011

This has been a GREAT week in My Father's World! 

We are absolutely loving our curriculum choices.  My Father's World is the best in my opinion.

This week the girls studied Biblical history up through the flood.   We are still so early in history that we aren't really studying anything in other ancient civilizations.  We have only been working on biblical history up through now. 

In MFW science we talked a little more about how light works.  So far, the girls nor I have really gotten excited about the science portion of the MFWCTG.  So we'll see how that goes later on.  I don't give up easily.  I'm looking for things to add to make it even more interesting.

We worked on our Apologia Anatomy journals and started a human body lapbook.  The girls love lapbooking and notebooking.   I really need to incorporate more into our studies.

We got to check out a project we began last week that help the girls understand mummies a little better.

Also, I allowed the youngest to practice writing her spelling words in shaving cream.  That was a total hit!  She asked could she do it every week.  I took her to town for more shaving cream.  What does that tell you?  Mom said of course.  If practicing your spelling words is so much fun, how could mom say no?

I have to say that our music appreciation was not a favorite of the girls.   MFW has the girls studing Vivaldi first and they totally DID NOT like listening to the music.  I am going to keep them listening.  I am also looking for stuff to make those studies more fun.  I enjoy classical music so I am hoping that the girls develop a taste for it as well.

Nothing else was too exciting.  We just had the normal subjects to get completed.

How was your week?

Homeschooling at the speed of life,

Kristie

Homeschool Week in Review ~ Aug 22-26, 2011

The first week of homeschool has been awesome!  WE have had very few meltdowns. ;)

I am going start this post back to last Friday when I did a Back to Homeschool party with the girls.  The party came complete with decorations, place cards and party foods.  Here are some pics of the festivities.....

Now our homeschool week......

This year has been a year full of changes for our homeschool.  This is our first year with My Father's World and our first year with workboxes.  This is also our first year teaching two completely.

Last year, my youngest was in Kindergarten and that was not very hard to do.  Being in first grade this year, there were more subjects and work to add to the mix. 

I decided to do My Father's World Creation to the Greeks this year.  The curriculum recommends beginning with Exploring Countries and Cultures, but we had already completed a year of a geography based study.  I felt it would be over doing it to repeat. 

The workbox system has been a great addition to our homeschool.  You can see our workbox set up here. 

Our week started off with a bang.  The girls woke up early Monday ready to get started on their first day. 

Flossy - 1st Grade

Princess - 5th Grade

We have really enjoyed going through creation again.  We had previously talked about the days of creation; however, by focusing on 1-2 days at a time, the girls were able to get a better grasp.  Also, everyday we have reviewed everything, so it has really stuck this time. 

In MFW science, we have been talking about light.  They particularly enjoyed an experiment that we did involving an "optical" illusion, which taught about how light enters the eye.

I added Apologia's Exploring Creation through Anatomy and Physiology, even though My Father's World includes science, because our family loves the Exploring Creation Series.  So far, we have loved this book.  We have been studying ancient medicine and discoveries in medical science.  We did a small experiment involving using a drop of water as a magnifying glass.  We did that for probably 10 minutes because it was "cool" to the girls. :)

That is pretty much the highlights.  We had alot of other routine subjects but nothing really note worthy.  All in all it was a great week in our Father's world!

How was your week?

Homeschooling at the speed of life ~

Kristie

Our Homeschool Day

I am fairly certain that we never have the same homeschool day.     So I'll give you a run down of a "typical" day.

I try to have everyone out of bed, dressed and ready for breakfast by 8:00.  That doesn't always happen. ;)

We typically set down for breakfast together around 8:15.  Breakfast really varies.  Sometimes I feel more like a big breakfast, like pancakes, eggs, etc. Other times, we have cereal or frozen waffles.

After everyone eats, the girls make their beds and clean their room while I clear the table.

I try to get everyone back at the table for lessons by 8:45.  Earlier is always better, but we aren't always at the top of our game.

We always start our school time with prayer and Bible first and foremost.  God has to be at the heart of our homeschool or I am wasting my time. 

Because we are studying Old Testament/Ancient History, I immediately do History in conjunction with our Bible time.  We are using My Father's World Creation to the Greeks this year so our Bible and History time fit very well together.

Because our youngest is enthusiastic about the Pledge to the flag, we say the pledge after Bible and History.

This year, I opted to try the workbox method with the girls so following Bible and History the girls start their first workbox.  I split their time up through the day with various activities that are not in a workbox, do and do not require me to help, etc.  I really try to mix up our day with their workbox so that it is not predictable and boring for the girls.  I also want them to have subjects so that they don't need me at the same time.

We really have some days where schedules are completely thrown out the window.  My youngest has allergy shots every Monday morning.  Our family works the clothes closet at our church one Tuesday a month.  Of course, there is always things that come up for us.  I so try not to stress when "stuff" comes up and our "schedule" gets wacky. 

I try to have our day wrapped up by 2:30, but that may or may not always happen.  The afternoons are filled with household chores, free time, and just plain fun.  I also attempt to take the girls to the library once a week.

I like to be super organized with it all but both girls end up sick through out the year with various hospital and doctor visits.  What does your family do for their day?  Do you have a set schedule or do you generally "go with the flow" like we do?

I'm linking up with the "Not" Back to School Blog Hop this week.  Go check out other families homeschool days.



Blessings~

Kristie

Curriculum List 2011 - 2012

We are getting set to start school.  August 22nd will be here before I know it so I am attempting to get everything ready.  Here are my curriculum choices for this year.  When you write it all out, it looks like alot of work; however, there are alot of short lessons planned or things not planned everyday of the week.  I'm still getting in the water on this blog business so I will try to come back later and link up my subjects with appropriate websites.   (No promises however) ;)

Our core curriculum for both girls is My Father's World.  And since I don't have it in me to do 2 different levels, Flossy will tag along Princess for Creation to the Greeks.

Princess - 5th Grade
Bible - MFW Creation to the Greeks & Kay Arthur 4 Kids Inductive Bible Studies & Family Bible time
History - MFW Creation to the Greeks
Science - MFW Creation to the Greeks & Apologia Exploring Creation through Anatomy
Math - Singapore 4A/4B & Math-U-See Gamma (2 reinforce her multiplication)
English - Easy Grammar 5
Spelling - A Reason for Spelling E
Reading - Progeny Press Guides
Vocabulary - English from the Roots Up & Wordly Wise
Art - God & the History of Art
Music - MFW Composer Studies & Piano & Guitar
Composition - Writing Strands Level 3
Free Reading - Book Basket Selections from back of MFW; 1000 Good Book List

Flossy - 1st Grade
Bible - The Awesome Book of Bible Facts & MFW & Family Devotions time
History - MFW Creation to the Greeks
Science - MFW Creation to the Greeks & Apologia Exploring Creation through Anatomy
Math - Singapore 1A/1B
English - First Language Lessons
Spelling - A Reason for Spelling A
Phonics - Abeka & Scholastic At Home Phonics
Art - God & the History of Art
Music - MFW Composer Studies

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I have high hopes of blogging about our school year.  So please let me know if your reading so I stay motivated.

So what are your curriculum choices for 2011-2012?