Curriculum....so many choices so little time!

So...I am a curriculum junkie. I've been warned that this could happen...and yet...I still have fallen prey to the vast array of curriculum available to teach my little ones. I am always thinking I am missing something...

I chose Galloping the Globe for our geography/history curriculum for this year and next. For the most part I am happy with it. We have been visiting the different countries in Asia so far and I have finally gotten a knack for what is really interesting to them and what is not.

I have also discovered that as much as I want to be a hands on teacher for them...it really is impossible with Autumn. I need things that I can teach and then they can do themselves. That is one reason I changed our math. I really liked the idea behind Making Math Meaningful, I just didn't have the time I needed to devote to sitting down with them 30 min at a time and I didn't feel they were getting everything they needed to drill their facts.

Right now, I am searching for what to do with their Lang. Arts for next year. I like FLL but again it moves sooooo slow and I think they are ready for more. I don't like the fact that Hannah isn't writing more than she is right now. She is very capable, though sometimes lazy if I don't make her write.

I also go back and forth as to whether I should have gone the total classical route taking them through history chronologically. I plan to do that 5-12th grade but I wonder if I shouldn't at least be introducing them to some of the history this way so they will be aware of it by the time we get to it again. I went through the Well-Trained Mind and figured out how many figures and historical events they should be introduced to in the grammar stage and am thinking maybe I can at least do some read alouds to them in this area to give them awareness even if we aren't making timelines and narrating formally.

I like that Galloping gives them a world sense...I just teeter totter all the time. I think if I do what I am planning I will read them at least 12 books a month over the next 15 months that are chronological from ancients to the modern times that will give them something to chew on when we do start.

I found this great site...and I hope to use it to do our history. Reading our way through History-Click Here.


So...my plans for next year:

Bible reading-we are starting at the beginning now, and working our way through. We are using the Wonder Bible. (It is closer than The Beginners Bible but not exact word for word...its reads more like a story.)

Rod & Staff English 2
Building Spelling Skills (if I do R&S)
Sonlight Reading or CLE Reading
A Reason for Writing Cursive C
Writing Strands (with Hannah-the 2nd part of the year)
Writing With Ease (Mikayla, some Hannah)
Math Mammoth 2 & 3
Apologia Astronomy
Artistic Pursuits
Type to Learn (Hannah)
Stories of Great Composers
Two plus Two is not Five Supplement
Grocery Store Math
ASL

OR

Christian Light Language Arts (CLE)- includes grammar, spelling, writing, handwriting
CLE Reading
Writing Strands
CLE Math
Two plus Two is not Five Supplement
Grocery Store Math
Apologia Astronomy
Artistic Pursuits
Type to Learn (Hannah)
Stories of Great Composers
ASL

Then do the read alouds with Galloping the Globe and the History I wanted to do with them.

They will also be playing softball, possibly soccer, basketball, (Mikayla-possibly gymnastics)

They will be participating in Bible Bee this Fall-this includes a lot of memorization of scripture. This will be a challenge for us all...but a great way to learn scripture for a lifetime!

I think we will continue our 3 week on, 1 week off schedule. This works well for us. There are some times we do more weeks of school so we can take off for special occasions or take more than one week off.

In the next few years I am hoping to add Latin for both of the girls. I am thinking when Hannah starts 5th grade we will begin Tapestry of Grace but I want to research this more first.

Ahhh....the insanity of it all.

I have it laid out...now I will allow Jesus to speak through me as to what He wants me to do for the girls.

I do know one thing...He has shown me as I stated before that it is okay not to be as hands on as I think I need to be. I am available, I teach, but I let them learn, I am here for them in the things that they can not teach themselves, but I want them to learn to to learn on their own without me holding their hand the whole way. I know they are young, and I will do this as much as they are capable, but what a gift to learn how to learn....

Busy girls we have been...

We finished up our study on Israel. It was very interesting. We learned the capital of Israel, their language, population and what kind of language they speak. Mikayla was very intrigued to learn that in their language the read from right to left. She has tried it with several of their books. We talked about Abraham, Jacob, Joesph and Jesus...as important figures from Israel. We colored the Israeli flag. This finished our study of Asia. We study some of the main countries of China, Japan, S. Korea, India, and Israel. Our next continent is Europe. We will begin that in about two weeks. We took off of Galloping this week to do focus on more of our science.

In science, we have been studying the second day of creation-God created the air. We have been talking about air, air pressure and will be talking more about the wind, the clouds and the weather.

The girls have been doing a good job focusing on their studies. I have started including Hannah in our phonics study so that we will make sure nothing gets left out of that area.

The girls just finished up their season of Upwards Cheerleading and Basketball. They had so much fun! Mikayla finally made her first goal in the last two minutes of the game last Saturday. It was the perfect ending to a great season! Hannah has been talking about playing basketball next year.

We will be beginning softball in a few weeks. Chad and I will be coaching the girls team this year.

I am including some pictures of the girls.

We made an abacus out of popcicle sticks, pony beads, and skewers.









It is beautiful right now outside. It has hard to believe its February already.

I am already in pursuit of planning next years curriculum. It makes me crazy to think about planning this all again...just because I am such a researcher about it all...smile!





The girls have been practicing their piano everyday...and I guess Autumn thinks she needs to practice as well.

She is our little cutie pie and makes everyday...an adventure!

Asian Elephants

Mikayla's Elephant

Hannah's Elephant

During our study of India, we talked about Asian Elephants. These are the girls drawings of an Elephant using Crayola oil pastels. We used the Draw.Write.Now books to help us with step by step instructions of drawing the elephant. Then they used their imaginations in coloring in the rest.

Hannah ask Jesus in her heart!

So I said nothing major happening....how could I totally forget the most amazing thing that happened last week. My dear almost eight year old...asked our sweet Jesus into her heart! I am thrilled. This has been a long time the spirit has been working and we are so excited to see her life changing as she follows Christ. Chad led her in prayer as Mikayla and I sat at the table praying with her. I just pray God will keep His mighty protective hand on her all the days of her life and that we will humbly guide her into the woman of God that she has always been meant to become. It is so very exciting to see your children have their spiritual birth before your very eyes. How awesome!!!

We are plodding along...

Nothing major exciting happening these last few weeks. We have been plodding along in our homeschool journey. Still hectic as ever trying to fit it all in. I have been trying to figure out the best way to squeeze the gym in to our already busy schedule. Its just so hard! We are finishing up our study on India. The girls have been learning about the state capital, some animals, the religion and culture there. We have managed to get a few science lessons in as well studying light and dark, shadows, and light reflection and refraction.

Today the girls practiced drawing an elephant since that was one of the main aniamals we study in India. They did pretty well. They have also been practicing their piano more, too.

The day gets sucked up before we know it.

I have been trying to look ahead to new curriculumn and see what we will keep that has worked for us this year. Its a lot to balance, but God has been good in it!

To School...to School...off to School we go!

Well, we took three weeks off! Ah, Home School! We can pick our vacation days!!!! I decided that since the two weeks we took off for Christmas were so jam packed with Holiday events, we just needed some down time and I needed to plan what we are doing next!

We have been reading a little bit and doing somethings here and there like beginning a science curriculum.

I have begun reading them The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread. I saw the advertisement on TV that the movie was coming out and thought that maybe I could read it to them and they could see the difference between a well written book and a movie of the book. We shall see. I really love Kate Dicamillo. She wrote because of Winn Dixie and several other great books! We are reading it at night before they go to bed.

Our next geography study will be in India. I have spent several days this past week getting everything we need to begin. I planned to begin it this coming week but then realized the girls are going to be super busy with their co-ops and new play practice that they will be in this spring. So, we will begin that the week after next.

My plan is to get the rest of our schooling started though...back to the grindstone.

I have been trying to weigh the curriculumn that we are using now, to start planning for next year. Trying to figure out what is working and what is not is a huge struggle. In some ways, I feel like I am holding Hannah back, so I will hopefully be able to give her some more challenging things to do this spring and summer.

You know...I love homeschooling...it's been hard with everything we've had to endure this last year, but I know it's worth it. I have an awesome homeschool group that I am involved with that is so supportive. I have been blessed with great friends who are on this journey with me and I am so thankful.

Chad and I have had our own struggles trying to make this all work, but we have found some common ground and are committed to being role models for our children. We want the best for them in every way possible, so to that end we are fixing things that need fixing and changing things that need changing and just trying our best to love each other through it all. God has had His hand on us and I am very humbled that He keeps us in His care always.

So...on to the next half of the school year! Hope you enjoy the ride with us!

Happy New Year!

The holidays seemed to fly by and as always I am a little sad to see them go...but even more excited to get back to regular routine stuff...I like routine...and what's predictable...except every now and then!

Even though this Christmas seemed a little empty with the losses we've endured this year we were so blessed and had a great time this year. The girls got DS's this year and have been having a ball on them...it truly is as a friend told me...a gift that gives all year...I've even been playin on them! We can check out games from the library so that will be good so that we can try them out to see if the girls like them or not.

Chad's parents came up and shared Christmas with us. We had a great time just hanging out and playing. They gave us a Wii and that has been a hoot. We have had the whole family involved! The games are sooo expensive so we will have to save up for those...but fortunatly we can borrow those from the library as well.

My sister, brother-n-law, niece and grandmother came up after Christmas and we had a great time. I so miss my sister and her little girl. We all have been a little sick so that put somewhat of a damper on our time...but we had a great time. We played the Wii so much....Chad and Zach kept competing in the Fitness Challenge to see who could get the youngest score...love that kind of competition.

I went back to the gym Friday after not going since right before Christmas...I missed it! I really need to get back there faithfully and get in gear. I am sure that it will be packed in January with all the New Year's resolutions...hopefully most will stick it out the full year!

Today,we put up our final boxes of Christmas decorations and it felt so good to have the house de-cluttered again. We even worked on straightening our garage a bit...it just feels good to have some organization!

Autumn has been so much fun this Christmas. She literally plays with all the toys she recieved for Christmas. The girls weren't so much like that when they were her age. She loves the tunnel Aunt Courtney bought and the ball popper from Nana and Pappy, and the piggy bank from Granny...She was really into the FP Little people barn too. I spread the toys out around the house so she didn't get so overwhelmed with it all...they are just too spoiled!

I am including some pictures of when my sister was here last week!