The past couple of days I have been researching living math books. I'm trying to find as many 'lists' as I can. I originally was looking with Jasmine in mind. A gentle way to learn math at a young age. But now I see I can add them in for Lily too. She doesn't normally like math so I think she would really enjoy this. (I would just add them with Saxon, not replace it).
Here are some sites I found so far....
Living Math! - This is an awesome site! They have so much info. They have the books arranged by concept and topic. They also have a Living Math Through History list.
CM, Children and Lots of Grace (blog)
http://charlottemason.tripod.com/CMmath1.html
Homeschool Math
OurLosBanos.com
MathStart
I also came across Your Business Math series for ages 8-12. You can also get it at Lulu.com.
'You own a store. You want a profit. You do the Math!'
Oh, I'm so excited that I found this. Lily will just LOVE it. There are 3 'businesses' in the series - book store, sports store, and a pet store.
I'll definitely be getting the pet store for Lily! Man, I'm so excited - cause I believe that Lily will be excited about it!
*adds this to my already long list of things I want for school* phff
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Date Night
My mom watched the girls the other day so hubby and I could go to the movies. India was actually without me for 5 hours!!! That's a record for her.
Anyhow, we went to see Sweeney Todd. I really enjoyed the movie!! It was wonderful. When I asked my husband what he thought about it he said, "I didn't care for all the singing, but besides that it was pretty good." I loved the singing. I thought it was awesome how most of the story was told through song. Loved it!
I had to close one eye for some of it. =o) That's what I do on scary parts....cover one eye so that I'm just peeking at the movie. Oh I'm sure I look pretty silly when I do it too.
I love Johnny Depp, he is an amazing actor. Someday I'd love to own all of his movies. Yeah, I'm dorky like that. =o)
Anyhow, we went to see Sweeney Todd. I really enjoyed the movie!! It was wonderful. When I asked my husband what he thought about it he said, "I didn't care for all the singing, but besides that it was pretty good." I loved the singing. I thought it was awesome how most of the story was told through song. Loved it!
I had to close one eye for some of it. =o) That's what I do on scary parts....cover one eye so that I'm just peeking at the movie. Oh I'm sure I look pretty silly when I do it too.
I love Johnny Depp, he is an amazing actor. Someday I'd love to own all of his movies. Yeah, I'm dorky like that. =o)
Pampering Mom!
Oh My!!!
Ahhhhhhhhh!
My sweet little Lily....
She asked me to come upstairs - when I got to the top of the steps she told me to close my eyes. She takes my hand and walks me to my bedroom door. Then I hear music start (Tim McGraw!). And I'm told that I can open my eyes. =o)
There is a candle glowing, my bed is made and on top of the bed I see....lotion, a massage bar, make-up and nail polish.
How sweet is that?????
Lily told me to lay down on the bed and she massaged my back. After the massage she put make-up on me. We never got to polishing my nails because by then Jasmine was in the bedroom wanting make-up on as well.
It was such a wonderful massage! Such a wonderful daughter!
One happy momma in the house tonight!
(until hours later and they turned into brats. he he)
Ahhhhhhhhh!
My sweet little Lily....
She asked me to come upstairs - when I got to the top of the steps she told me to close my eyes. She takes my hand and walks me to my bedroom door. Then I hear music start (Tim McGraw!). And I'm told that I can open my eyes. =o)
There is a candle glowing, my bed is made and on top of the bed I see....lotion, a massage bar, make-up and nail polish.
How sweet is that?????
Lily told me to lay down on the bed and she massaged my back. After the massage she put make-up on me. We never got to polishing my nails because by then Jasmine was in the bedroom wanting make-up on as well.
It was such a wonderful massage! Such a wonderful daughter!
One happy momma in the house tonight!
(until hours later and they turned into brats. he he)
Monday, January 21, 2008
Signing Time
Signing Time is a huge hit in my house! Jasmine (3) is totally in love with the series and we are all learning so much.
Love it! Love it! Love it!
Lily usually signs when she wants to ask me something and not have anyone else hear. =)
Jasmine signs for fun. Right now she makes up her own signs for words that she hasn't learned yet. It's pretty funny to watch.
Rosie likes to try and sign along with us. =) She waves her hands around in the air. She does this a lot when we sing/sign the ABCs.
And Mom (me), actually has fun watching and listening to the videos as well.
Jasmine likes to watch these over and over but it doesn't seem to bother me. I just sing right along. (and sign a little).
Love it! Love it! Love it!
Lily usually signs when she wants to ask me something and not have anyone else hear. =)
Jasmine signs for fun. Right now she makes up her own signs for words that she hasn't learned yet. It's pretty funny to watch.
Rosie likes to try and sign along with us. =) She waves her hands around in the air. She does this a lot when we sing/sign the ABCs.
And Mom (me), actually has fun watching and listening to the videos as well.
Jasmine likes to watch these over and over but it doesn't seem to bother me. I just sing right along. (and sign a little).
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Fun Stuff...
After reviewing the posts that I recently posted about Jasmine's preschool I decided that I had better go back and post about all the fun learning toys they have to play with too. =o) It's not just all workbooks and no fun.
- Play-doh (with alphabet cookie cutters too)
- Puzzles
- Legos
- Lincoln Logs
- Sewing Cards
- Books Galore! (seriously)
- Blocks (building and abc)
- Art supplies (Jasmine loves, scissors, glue stick and construction paper!)
- Matching games
- Chalkboard (they enjoy this)
We have a lot more stuff but that's what popped in my head. These are all educational things that they can play with whenever they want.
I understand that most 3 yr olds are not going to want to sit down and work in workbooks or do worksheets. Jasmine just happens to be little different and loves them. If it weren't for the fact that she was always asking to do them, I probably would not have purchased them yet. Right now 'school' is fun for her and it's kinda like a game. I want to point out that I am following her lead.
As a side note, I'm really curious to see what India will be like when she's 3. Will she be anything like Jasmine? Will she be the complete opposite? I think it will be very interesting to see.
Math already?
The only thing I can say is that Jasmine is my little school nerd! he he *grins* Shhh, don't tell her.
She has been requesting a math program just like Lily's. So for Christmas guess what she got. Yep, a math program. How did you know? Hmm. =o)
Ok, I got her Saxon Math K. I had read about how a lot of people use it for preschool instead of kindergarten so I figured we would give it a shot. It's really hands-on. Lots of manipulatives, pattern blocks, linking cubes, teddy bear counters, a scale and things like that.
We sat down to do our first lesson Jan. 1st and she ended up doing 3 lessons at that time. The beginning ones are so easy. Like counting to 5, playing with pattern blocks...she's been doing both for over a year now. So we have actually sat down for math on 5 different occasions and we are already up to lesson 16. I don't know if she'll do that for much longer though. Pretty soon she'll come across stuff that she doesn't yet know and that may slow her down.
The only part that's hard for her right now is snapping the multi-link cubes together. They're hard. So one evening I just sat down and popped them together and apart, together and apart. It has helped a little bit. So I know they'll get easier to use over time. Right now, I'll just continue helping her 'snap' them together.
She has been requesting a math program just like Lily's. So for Christmas guess what she got. Yep, a math program. How did you know? Hmm. =o)
Ok, I got her Saxon Math K. I had read about how a lot of people use it for preschool instead of kindergarten so I figured we would give it a shot. It's really hands-on. Lots of manipulatives, pattern blocks, linking cubes, teddy bear counters, a scale and things like that.
We sat down to do our first lesson Jan. 1st and she ended up doing 3 lessons at that time. The beginning ones are so easy. Like counting to 5, playing with pattern blocks...she's been doing both for over a year now. So we have actually sat down for math on 5 different occasions and we are already up to lesson 16. I don't know if she'll do that for much longer though. Pretty soon she'll come across stuff that she doesn't yet know and that may slow her down.
The only part that's hard for her right now is snapping the multi-link cubes together. They're hard. So one evening I just sat down and popped them together and apart, together and apart. It has helped a little bit. So I know they'll get easier to use over time. Right now, I'll just continue helping her 'snap' them together.
Reading...
When Jasmine was right around 3yrs she started sitting down with her sister's chapter books and pretending to read. Then she would bring the book over to me, pointing to a word, and ask "what word is this"? She would do this over and over again.
So I'm like hmm.... I think she may be able to start learning to read.
I decided to purchase Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. And Guess What? She started reading at 3 1/2! We're on lesson 30 something right now, I believe. We actually had to put the book down for awhile, before she was reading. She would sound out the words for me, but she couldn't hear what it was that she was saying. It just wasn't clicking. We waited a few months and tried again and it clicked. Now she has also started reading Bob Books and working on Explode the Code book 1 (ETC). Right now I don't have her writing the words in ETC. She would just get frustrated if she had to do all the writing. Our main goal right now is reading.
We don't work on this stuff every day. Just when she's in the mood for it. Either she tells me she wants to do it. Or I ask if she wants to. If she says no, I simply so 'ok'.
So I'm like hmm.... I think she may be able to start learning to read.
I decided to purchase Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons. And Guess What? She started reading at 3 1/2! We're on lesson 30 something right now, I believe. We actually had to put the book down for awhile, before she was reading. She would sound out the words for me, but she couldn't hear what it was that she was saying. It just wasn't clicking. We waited a few months and tried again and it clicked. Now she has also started reading Bob Books and working on Explode the Code book 1 (ETC). Right now I don't have her writing the words in ETC. She would just get frustrated if she had to do all the writing. Our main goal right now is reading.
We don't work on this stuff every day. Just when she's in the mood for it. Either she tells me she wants to do it. Or I ask if she wants to. If she says no, I simply so 'ok'.
Sonlight PreK
I started researching preschool curriculum. The one that I liked the most was Sonlight's Pre-K (Core B now). I really liked this one because of all the story books that are included it it. Simply put, it's literature based. Read to your child!
While researching this program I came across this yahoo group SL Preschool. I have learned so much about teaching little ones from the ladies on this list. I'm very glad I found it. In the files section there are also 2 different schedules posted for Sonlight PreK. Of course, you have to be a member to have access to these files and they are copyrighted.
I own most of the books now for this program but not all. And we don't sit down and do it everyday. In fact, we're kinda lacking on doing this lately. So I'm hoping to get back into it.
I have all different workbooks that I purchased to go along with this. We've done a page here and there but I would like to start working on it more. (of course only when Jasmine wants too. It's her choice.) Here are some of the workbooks we have:
While researching this program I came across this yahoo group SL Preschool. I have learned so much about teaching little ones from the ladies on this list. I'm very glad I found it. In the files section there are also 2 different schedules posted for Sonlight PreK. Of course, you have to be a member to have access to these files and they are copyrighted.
I own most of the books now for this program but not all. And we don't sit down and do it everyday. In fact, we're kinda lacking on doing this lately. So I'm hoping to get back into it.
I have all different workbooks that I purchased to go along with this. We've done a page here and there but I would like to start working on it more. (of course only when Jasmine wants too. It's her choice.) Here are some of the workbooks we have:
- Developing the Early Learner (DEL) - we've done about 10pages so far.
- Building Thinking Skills Primary
- Visual Perceptual Skill Building
- Cuisnaire Rods Alphabet book & cuisnaire rods.
Again, we've only worked a little with these right now.
ABC sites (free)
We discovered Starfall.com for Jasmine. She loved that site. It got old after a while though and she stopped going to it. But when we finally went back to it she loved it all over again.
Starfall is an awesome site. It starts with introducing letters and their sounds and works up to learning to read short stories. It's very fun for little ones.
Next we found Letter of the Week. This is a free curriculum teaching letters and their sounds. (they also have other things there too). We didn't follow this to a 'T' but here is what we did:
Starfall is an awesome site. It starts with introducing letters and their sounds and works up to learning to read short stories. It's very fun for little ones.
Next we found Letter of the Week. This is a free curriculum teaching letters and their sounds. (they also have other things there too). We didn't follow this to a 'T' but here is what we did:
- I would print off 2-3 letter coloring sheets (for the letter we were on)
- I would tell her what letter it was and what sound it made.
- I would show her the ASL sign for that letter. (sign language)
- I would show her the letter on the keyboard. (she had fun typing it)
- I would pick up some of the recommended books from the library and we would read those throughout the week.
- We would place one of her coloring sheets into her ABC's book. (binder + page protectors, nice and simple but she loved her special book)
Let Preschool Begin...
Once I started teaching Lily, Jasmine had to be right there and involved. I constantly heard "Momma, do you have a worksheet for me"? Jasmine was requesting this at the age of about 2 1/2. At first I was just giving her extra math worksheets (etc.) and letting her draw and scribble all over them. Well, not just scribble. She was constantly trying to write words. Using little symbols and o's as her letters. I also had to start making a copy of Lily's history coloring pages so that Jasmine could do that too.
Eventually I purchased her some Kumon workbooks. First their tracing one, which she absolutely loved and then their cutting workbook.
So that was the beginning of Jasmine's preschool. I will make separate posts about the different things we've done or are doing since then.
Eventually I purchased her some Kumon workbooks. First their tracing one, which she absolutely loved and then their cutting workbook.
So that was the beginning of Jasmine's preschool. I will make separate posts about the different things we've done or are doing since then.
Scrubbing...
I decided that it was past time to scrub the kitchen clean. So the other day that is what I did. I actually had all 3 girls in there helping me. =) No, I didn't ask them. They were having fun...washing the front of the cabinets, the fridge, the window, the stove and so on.
Well.... Rosie wanted some windex on her paper towel too, just like her big sisters. I of course told her no, that she was to young for chemicals and I went back to scrubbing the sink. A couple of minutes later I peek over at her to see how she's doing and I caught her......
Shaking her sippy cup upside down on the cabinet door and then wiping it with her paper towel!
Oh I tell ya! Kids. Yep, she's my little monkey butt. I couldn't help it, I had to laugh.
I, of course, started wetting her paper towel with water after that. There, now she's happy. (and so is momma) =o)
Well.... Rosie wanted some windex on her paper towel too, just like her big sisters. I of course told her no, that she was to young for chemicals and I went back to scrubbing the sink. A couple of minutes later I peek over at her to see how she's doing and I caught her......
Shaking her sippy cup upside down on the cabinet door and then wiping it with her paper towel!
Oh I tell ya! Kids. Yep, she's my little monkey butt. I couldn't help it, I had to laugh.
I, of course, started wetting her paper towel with water after that. There, now she's happy. (and so is momma) =o)
FREE History Schedule
I found this goody on the WellTrainedMind boards (which is now a forum, *whispers* go check it out) .
Lunablog.net has free lesson plans that you can download. I think it is so wonderful that she is offering these for free. The lesson plan is called Mosaic Introduction to World History Part 1: Myths, Maps, and Marvels. She has a couple different versions. One using Story of the World: Ancient Times the other using A Little History of the World by E.H. Gombrich. She also gives you a choice of downloading the 'plain' version or the 'prehistory and evolution' version. How awesome is that?!
The only thing that makes me sad, *pouts* is that we're getting ready to start the Middle Ages so I can't use this lesson plan yet. But I am saving it for when it's Jasmine's turn for Ancient History.
Lunablog.net has free lesson plans that you can download. I think it is so wonderful that she is offering these for free. The lesson plan is called Mosaic Introduction to World History Part 1: Myths, Maps, and Marvels. She has a couple different versions. One using Story of the World: Ancient Times the other using A Little History of the World by E.H. Gombrich. She also gives you a choice of downloading the 'plain' version or the 'prehistory and evolution' version. How awesome is that?!
The only thing that makes me sad, *pouts* is that we're getting ready to start the Middle Ages so I can't use this lesson plan yet. But I am saving it for when it's Jasmine's turn for Ancient History.
Parenting With Rosie
I've been having some issues lately with Rosie. I guess, really, they are my own issues. Oh, I don't know.
Issue #1
She's 1.5 and she still nurses constantly. It sure seems like it's all the time. And I kinda want my body back. =( kinda. I believe in child led weaning. So I don't want to force her to stop but I do want her to cut back on how many times she nurses in a day. But not stop all together, I don't think. Although, I still wouldn't have my body back. =) Hey, I can never make up my mind of what I want.
So right now when Rosie wants to nurse I try offering her a sippy cup of milk or water. It works sometimes...but mostly not.
I guess in a way she is already weaning herself. There are many times that she wants to nurse and then stops after like 5secs because something else caught her attention. This usually annoys me. Because I sat down and got all ready just for her to wonder off right away. I'm thinking now though, that I need to stop getting annoyed. That's the process of her starting to wean from some feedings. Right?
My older two weaned themselves right around a year. So this is all new to me. And while I have no problem with still nursing her, I just wish it wasn't so often.
Issue #2
Oh, and I have another issue with my little Rosie Posie. =o) I can't seem to get her into her own bed. Argh! The two oldest slept with me until they were, oh, 5 months, and then switched into their own beds with no real problems. But not this one! Nope. When I try putting her in the crib she screams like I am torturing her!!!! So I set up the playpen next to my bed. In hopes that I can transition her into that. Nope. If she falls asleep in my arms and I attempt to put her in the crib or playpen, she wakes up. She can tell/feel when I bend over and hold her out to lay her down. =o(
So I'm thinking, that I just need to buy a bunk bed really soon. (for my youngest two). Then when she falls asleep in my arms I can lay her down in that bed. Or if I lay down with her in the bunk bed, nurse her and wait til she falls asleep before getting up, maybe that will work? This is how she goes to sleep in my bed.
Any advice or encouragement out there? I would love to hear it!
I guess I should point out that I don't agree with letting her 'cry it out'. Especially when she will just SCREAM the whole time. (I know that's what my mom would tell me to do. =) so mom, please don't comment. he he ).
Issue #1
She's 1.5 and she still nurses constantly. It sure seems like it's all the time. And I kinda want my body back. =( kinda. I believe in child led weaning. So I don't want to force her to stop but I do want her to cut back on how many times she nurses in a day. But not stop all together, I don't think. Although, I still wouldn't have my body back. =) Hey, I can never make up my mind of what I want.
So right now when Rosie wants to nurse I try offering her a sippy cup of milk or water. It works sometimes...but mostly not.
I guess in a way she is already weaning herself. There are many times that she wants to nurse and then stops after like 5secs because something else caught her attention. This usually annoys me. Because I sat down and got all ready just for her to wonder off right away. I'm thinking now though, that I need to stop getting annoyed. That's the process of her starting to wean from some feedings. Right?
My older two weaned themselves right around a year. So this is all new to me. And while I have no problem with still nursing her, I just wish it wasn't so often.
Issue #2
Oh, and I have another issue with my little Rosie Posie. =o) I can't seem to get her into her own bed. Argh! The two oldest slept with me until they were, oh, 5 months, and then switched into their own beds with no real problems. But not this one! Nope. When I try putting her in the crib she screams like I am torturing her!!!! So I set up the playpen next to my bed. In hopes that I can transition her into that. Nope. If she falls asleep in my arms and I attempt to put her in the crib or playpen, she wakes up. She can tell/feel when I bend over and hold her out to lay her down. =o(
So I'm thinking, that I just need to buy a bunk bed really soon. (for my youngest two). Then when she falls asleep in my arms I can lay her down in that bed. Or if I lay down with her in the bunk bed, nurse her and wait til she falls asleep before getting up, maybe that will work? This is how she goes to sleep in my bed.
Any advice or encouragement out there? I would love to hear it!
I guess I should point out that I don't agree with letting her 'cry it out'. Especially when she will just SCREAM the whole time. (I know that's what my mom would tell me to do. =) so mom, please don't comment. he he ).
Saturday, January 19, 2008
The Well-Trained Mind & 4th Grade
This past summer (after year number 1) I read The Well-Trained Mind by Jessie Wise and Susan Wise Bauer. It was a great read and I have definitely learned some new things. So now I have made some changes for our 4th grade year and I think we'll like it much better then the previous year. (my fingers are crossed). Lily now has her own binder set up with dividers for each subject. I like it!
4th Grade Curriculum
Saxon Math 54 - I also purchased the DIVE cd in hopes to free up some time to do preschool with Jasmine. We'll see how it goes.
History Odyssey - Middle Ages - I've changed history a little this year. We're still using SOTW2 as it's one of the spines scheduled in HO. We haven't started this yet, we're still finishing up SOTW1. I'm actually stretching it out a little right now because I haven't been able to purchase everything for the Middle Ages yet. One of the main things I still need to purchase is the Hands & Hearts Middle Ages Kit (and of course the additional student kit for J). I'm looking forward to adding that into our history for some hands-on fun. There are also many other things I am adding to History this year. But that will have to be a separate post for a different day.
Rod & Staff English - Building With Diligence (grade 4) - I am pretty happy with this curriculum choice. I think it works well for us. It takes us about 20min a day. We do some of the written work orally, don't do 'all' the written work. I pick and choose based on what she needs practice on. I feel that it covers things really well. Happy enough with it that I plan on moving on with it in 5th grade.
Veterinary Science Unit Study - Lily LOVES animals and is thinking about being a Veterinarian when she is older. So we did this for fun. We still haven't gone through their whole reading list. That's ok, it'll keep books in her hands for a while. (I hope).
Sonlight Science 4 - Electricity, Magnetism & Astronomy - We're not very far into this as of yet. We are changing it a little.....we're not doing the student pages that it comes with. We both (Lily and I) like notebooking instead. So now after reading a two-page spread or what have you, Lily will draw a picture that relates to what she just read and then write a little something about it. Then she adds it to her science binder. She likes this a lot better.
Spelling Workout D - We have the older 'sports' edition. We are not very far into this yet. So I can't really say much about it right now. So far, so good though.
Getty Dubay Italic Handwriting E - I decided on this book this year due to the fact that Lily has terrible handwriting. I hate saying that...but it's true. Even the pretty cursive was terrible. So, after researching different handwriting programs I figured this might be the best cursive program for her. Again, she's not that far into this yet either but so far, so good.
I guess that's basically it for now. There are more things that I want to add once we get the chance to purchase them.
4th Grade Curriculum
Saxon Math 54 - I also purchased the DIVE cd in hopes to free up some time to do preschool with Jasmine. We'll see how it goes.
History Odyssey - Middle Ages - I've changed history a little this year. We're still using SOTW2 as it's one of the spines scheduled in HO. We haven't started this yet, we're still finishing up SOTW1. I'm actually stretching it out a little right now because I haven't been able to purchase everything for the Middle Ages yet. One of the main things I still need to purchase is the Hands & Hearts Middle Ages Kit (and of course the additional student kit for J). I'm looking forward to adding that into our history for some hands-on fun. There are also many other things I am adding to History this year. But that will have to be a separate post for a different day.
Rod & Staff English - Building With Diligence (grade 4) - I am pretty happy with this curriculum choice. I think it works well for us. It takes us about 20min a day. We do some of the written work orally, don't do 'all' the written work. I pick and choose based on what she needs practice on. I feel that it covers things really well. Happy enough with it that I plan on moving on with it in 5th grade.
Veterinary Science Unit Study - Lily LOVES animals and is thinking about being a Veterinarian when she is older. So we did this for fun. We still haven't gone through their whole reading list. That's ok, it'll keep books in her hands for a while. (I hope).
Sonlight Science 4 - Electricity, Magnetism & Astronomy - We're not very far into this as of yet. We are changing it a little.....we're not doing the student pages that it comes with. We both (Lily and I) like notebooking instead. So now after reading a two-page spread or what have you, Lily will draw a picture that relates to what she just read and then write a little something about it. Then she adds it to her science binder. She likes this a lot better.
Spelling Workout D - We have the older 'sports' edition. We are not very far into this yet. So I can't really say much about it right now. So far, so good though.
Getty Dubay Italic Handwriting E - I decided on this book this year due to the fact that Lily has terrible handwriting. I hate saying that...but it's true. Even the pretty cursive was terrible. So, after researching different handwriting programs I figured this might be the best cursive program for her. Again, she's not that far into this yet either but so far, so good.
I guess that's basically it for now. There are more things that I want to add once we get the chance to purchase them.
A look at year one...
Last year (3rd grade) was our first year homeschooling. Better late then never right? I'm just glad we finally made the decision to do it! It was definitely a learning experience for us. In fact, it is still and always will be a learning experience. =) I'm still not totally comfortable with our routine. But I'm hoping that blogging it will help me work it out.
Curriculum used -
Saxon Math 3 - So far I like this curriculum. There are things I had to skip.... like doing the calendar every day and we only did one side of the worksheets. But it worked for us.
Story of the World 1 - Ancient Times - We are really enjoying this book. History is one of Lily's favorite subjects. She remembers so much of it. It just amazes me because I never really cared for history, until now, now I really like it. =) We also have the activity guide and my daughters love doing the coloring pages while I'm reading to them. Yes, my 3yr old also has to have her own coloring page. I look forward to continuing on to the Middle Ages!
Sonlight Science 3 - Introduction to Biology - My daughter really enjoyed science this year. Of course this is her absolute most favorite subject. =o) She really liked reading Usborne's Mysteries & Marvels of Nature. The TOPS experiments were a big hit as well, even for Jasmine (3). Jasmine enjoys watching the Discover & Do dvd and pretending to do the experiments.
LLATL - Learning Language Arts Through Literature (yellow) - This went just ok for us. I really like the sound of it but when it came down to actually homeschooling...well...it just wasn't the right approach for us.
Oh, I'm drawing a blank right now.... what else did we do last year? hmm....
We used a 3rd grade Health workbook. But I can't seem to remember the name of it.
Art - (drawing another blank) It taught color shading. We did it off and on. But it was only fun a handful of times. I'll try to look up the name a different day. It's too late to go digging through the closet right now.
I might be missing something, I'm not really sure. Also remember that this was our first year homeschooling. When Jasmine gets to 3rd grade this will probably look completely different. In fact I know it will. For one, she will start SOTW1 in at least 1st grade.
One really important thing I learned this year is to always make extra copies, or buy extra supplies so that the younger child can do the activity along with their older sibling!!! Well, that may not be the case for everyone else but it definitely was the case here.
Curriculum used -
Saxon Math 3 - So far I like this curriculum. There are things I had to skip.... like doing the calendar every day and we only did one side of the worksheets. But it worked for us.
Story of the World 1 - Ancient Times - We are really enjoying this book. History is one of Lily's favorite subjects. She remembers so much of it. It just amazes me because I never really cared for history, until now, now I really like it. =) We also have the activity guide and my daughters love doing the coloring pages while I'm reading to them. Yes, my 3yr old also has to have her own coloring page. I look forward to continuing on to the Middle Ages!
Sonlight Science 3 - Introduction to Biology - My daughter really enjoyed science this year. Of course this is her absolute most favorite subject. =o) She really liked reading Usborne's Mysteries & Marvels of Nature. The TOPS experiments were a big hit as well, even for Jasmine (3). Jasmine enjoys watching the Discover & Do dvd and pretending to do the experiments.
LLATL - Learning Language Arts Through Literature (yellow) - This went just ok for us. I really like the sound of it but when it came down to actually homeschooling...well...it just wasn't the right approach for us.
Oh, I'm drawing a blank right now.... what else did we do last year? hmm....
We used a 3rd grade Health workbook. But I can't seem to remember the name of it.
Art - (drawing another blank) It taught color shading. We did it off and on. But it was only fun a handful of times. I'll try to look up the name a different day. It's too late to go digging through the closet right now.
I might be missing something, I'm not really sure. Also remember that this was our first year homeschooling. When Jasmine gets to 3rd grade this will probably look completely different. In fact I know it will. For one, she will start SOTW1 in at least 1st grade.
One really important thing I learned this year is to always make extra copies, or buy extra supplies so that the younger child can do the activity along with their older sibling!!! Well, that may not be the case for everyone else but it definitely was the case here.
Blogging....
I have been reading a lot of homeschool blogs lately. Wow! I've been learning so much from them. They have been such a blessing. I wonder if the bloggers even realize how helpful their blogs are. We are only in our second year of homeschooling and it has been so great to see what other homeschoolers are doing. What's working for them....what's not...what changes they make and on and on. In fact they are the reason that I'm sitting here right now creating my own blog. I'm hoping that eventually if I can get this up and running then maybe someone new to homeschooling will come across my blog and find it helpful in their journey. My other reason for starting this blog is in hopes of sharing our journey with our family (and friends).
Here we go.......
Here we go.......
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