Mahayla played softball again this year after a three year break. We were a bit worried about how she might fair in the 12-15 year old fastpitch league after such a hiatus. To our surprise, and I think hers, she played VERY well! Even earning the most improved player ball one night after catching two fly balls and making an awesome throw to 1st base! Her team went undefeated the entire season!! Last night was their trophy ceremony at Sonic. It was fitting to meet at Sonic one last time since they were treated to ice cream after every winning game (which was every game!) Great job, girls!! The girls in motion shaking hands after their final game. They were SO excited. A dust ... Read More
Boys and Dinosaurs
On Sunday nights at church, I teach a Kidz Group class for children in 1-5th grades. Right now, I have only little boys in the class. What better way to catch their attention than to talk about dinosaurs! Dinosaurs and church?? Of course! Dinosaurs are a great topic for teaching the authority of the Bible as compared to evolutionary teaching. And for children, dinosaurs are one of the biggest "hooks" public schools use to disprove Biblical authority. Just how do you educate yourself on the truth of the Bible vs. what the evolutionary world believes? It's really as simple as children's books! There are so many wonderful children's books available now that teach Creation vs. ... Read More
Planning the Upcoming School Year
After a nice LONG summer break, we're starting back for the 2009-10 school year next week! I can't believe I'll be teaching 7th and 4th grades this year - and we can't forget the 2 1/2 year old who will continue to wreak havoc daily! :) Here's the basic daily plan - which hasn't changed much from last year: Dressed/Bedroom Chores Breakfast/Bible Daily Chores Math Language Arts Unit Study Free Time for outdoors/handicrafts/hobbies Reading Break Curriculum plans are (as always) subject to change, but here's the projected list. Remember, I never teach from all these materials everyday, or even every week for that matter. These are just resources that we'll use at ... Read More
Summer Time!
Whew! I'm ready to get back to school just so I have an excuse to stop the insanity! LOL! What's been keeping us busy lately? Softball Nature walks Fun days out with friends and family A music, art and food festival Walks with Grandpa Games with Grandma A VBS Carnival Caleb (and the other kids) could've done this all day! None of them minded being dunked! I know I've been MIA a little lately. Between all these fun activities, the garden, planning for school and writing the next set of NaturExplorer units, I ... Read More
Science Activity Bags
I can't tell you how excited I am about the Science Experiements in a Bag exchange we had at co-op this week! Remember the preschool bags? The same company that sells the preschool activity bag idea book now has a science experiment bag idea book! My big kids can't wait to dive into these! Wanna see? ... Read More
Caleb’s Latest Invention
What can an eight year old boy do with a yard stick, two clothespins, electrical tape and too many rubber bands? Create a weapon, of course! (And it really works!) ... Read More
These Easter Traditions Have Been Wonderful for Our Homeschool Family
Easter is - by far - my favorite holiday. It's about the ultimate redemption of God's people through His Son and no other celebration could possibly match that in significance. Since Easter ushers in the spring season, there's a general joyfulness in the air, too. People seem happy. Animals seem happy. Even plants seem happy. I look forward every year to the (much lower-key than Christmas) hustle and bustle that Easter brings with it. Our family's celebration begins at least a week or two early with many long-held Easter traditions - some of them educational, some of them just for fun. Our Easter Traditions Nature Walks With the warmer temperatures, we find ourselves able to ... Read More
Why I Love Two Year Olds
Shoes on the wrong feet. Clothes put on all by themselves. ... Read More
Rainy Day Art – Complete the Painting
I have a collection of really great paintings and pictures that I've torn from magazines and books over the years. One of last week's rainy and cold afternoons called for something to occupy the restless troops. They chose one of the paintings, cut it in half, pasted one half on a piece of cardstock and used watercolors to recreate the other half. They LOVED this! (And it was super-easy for me!) ... Read More
Operation: English Grammar Lapbook
What a wonderful grammar resource Mahayla now has! At the beginning of the school year, I decided Operation: English Grammar from In the Hands of a Child would be a weekly addition to Mahayla's grammar studies. She completed one-two lapbook activities per week, and now that it's finished, has a super resource full of grammar helps and reminders. ... Read More