The Homeschool Mother’s Journal

 

 

 

 

In my life this week…

This week has seemed to fly by.. Not really even sure where it went.

Started 4H again, after being on a break for a month

Got some school work done,

Spent a lazy day just hanging out

Had an appt, and spent a day with my Middle Monkey

Went to some Easter Hunts, spent the day with a friend,

Enjoyed Easter with my family…

In our homeschool this week…

We have been trying to catch up on some back work.. and we have been enjoying some fun days!

You can see more at our Homeschool Blog.. The Monkey School

(course I need to catch it up.. hehehe)

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Don’t stress about getting behind…

I am inspired by…

Watching my homeschool friends around me!  

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

This week we have 4H,

Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts,

Science class, and a Birthday Party

My favorite thing this week was…

Our Science experiments

 

What’s working/not working for us…

Not stressing about the things we can’t change.

Questions/thoughts I have…

Do you have any problems with your middle school sons not writing? Or getting them to write?

Things I’m working on…

Finishing up this year, and working on the start of our next year. Can’t believe this year is all over.

I’m reading…

Some books by Sheryl Woods

I’m cooking…

We are the abnormal people, for Easter we decided to have Lasagna

 

I’m grateful for…

All the opportunities my kids have gotten through scouts, and 4H. We have been very blessed.

A photo, video, link, or quote to share…

"Love is a fabric which never fades, no matter how often it is washed in the water of adversity and grief."

Source Unknown

TOS Review: WORLD Writing

 

 

 

 

Looking for writing programs? There are many of them out there. Today I’m going to give you some information on a new one I’ve been looking at.

WORLD Writing comes with a Teachers guide and Student book. This is curriculum is meant to inspire and encourage your child. As well as help them to become proficient writers, and communicators.

 

What WORLD Writing helps teach your child (from the website)

Write with WORLD exposes students to:

• reading and critical thinking that develop discernment
• contemporary subjects and professional guidance to pique interest
• flexible exercises to build confidence and skill for using today's new media
• a thoughtful and meaningful Christian worldview

 

It also covers these concepts:

• Writing Fundamentals
  
• Reporting
  
• Reviewing
  
• Critique & opinion
  
• Concepts of comparative and critical reading
  

Does this sound like something that your child would benefit from?

 

Here is some of what you will find in the Teachers Edition and a sample lesson.

Still interested? You can pre-order Year one for $95 it will be available this summer, and beginning in September the online part will go live.

See what others from TOS Crew are saying about this product!

*Disclaimer: I was given the opportunity to review this product in exchange for my honest opinion as part of the TOS Crew. All opinions are 100% mine or my monkeys.

TOS Review: TruthQuest History

 

 

 

History is one of my Monkey’s favorite subjects. We just love to learn about all the history we can. Monkey Man is stuck on anything that teaches about Ancient Greece right now.

TruthQuest History guides are a wonderful resource if you have a history lover like me. These guides are a great chronological time periods of history. They are geared toward older children, however they have reading list for younger children as well. All of which you can find at your local library. I know, because upon receiving this I went through and requested a bunch of books to go with it.

 

 

Honestly, I was a bit worried about this at first. Why? Well, this is not like any other History curriculum I have used or even looked at before. We are used to straight forward, lessons planned out for us curriculum. This made me a bit nervous. Being a still new to the homeschooling world (only my 2nd year).. I still struggle sometimes with putting good lessons together.

 

There was really no need for me to worry though. Upon opening the book, the first few pages were “Notes to Dad & Mom”, it was almost like they knew I need that. In this section it gives you suggestions on how to plan your lessons.

 

What to expect in the guide:

• A summary to each section
  
• Reading lists, by grade level
  
• ThinkWrite- are placed throughout the guide
  
• An Appendix in the back of the guide that gives you sample answers to your ThinkWrite sections.
  

Middle Monkey really enjoyed this History. He loves to learn it so much, that we only made it through a few of the sections. He wanted to read a majority of the books listed for each section. Plus we did a few projects to go along with a section.

I really loved how it really can be a self guided History program. He could just sit and read the books, do this ThinkWrite, and then come to me with what he learned. He loved the independence he got along with it, while learning something he loved.

Defiantly a program I think we will be using more of in the future.

TruthQuest History Guides, has many different guides to choose from depending on what part of history you are in. The Ancient Greece Guide starts at $19.95 for the PDF or $24.95 for the book. You can see a sample section here.

See what other TOS Crew members are saying..

*Disclaimer: I was given TruthQuest History Guide to review, in exchange for my honest opinion as part of the TOS Crew. All opinions are 100% mine or my monkeys.

What we have been up to for the last two weeks…

 

 

 

So, I know your all just wandering were we have been the last two weeks.. Well we haven’t been that far away.

Actually we didn’t even leave home.. we just have been buried in the house. We started a construction project, but need to finish the majority of it in two weeks.

The first week, we spent cleaning out the basement. We have a lot of things that have accumulated over the last year, as well as my mom’s extra stuff. The next question was were were we going to put them?

After much maneuvering we figured it out. Then we had to etch, and seal the floor. We could only do a half at a time.. so this was time consuming.

Then we started in on the rest of the project. We built a new wall with foam (for insulation) and a floor. I learned a lot about construction and tools I have never used before. Some, I don’t care to have to use again.. (i.e. Ram kit)

 

 

Then we started in on the walls.. Framing went quick after we started. It looks so cool with just the framing of the walls up.

 

I can’t wait for the rest of it to get done. Its going to look amazing!!

The kids are super excited to finally have their own rooms again, and we will also have a family room, along with our bedroom.

That is all the pictures I have for now, but will keep you posted as we move along.. Just waiting for the heating, and electric to go in next, then we can start sheet rocking.

The kids have amazing plans for their room schemes, so be sure to stay tuned to see it! I think you might get a kick out of it!  

Sorry it took me so long to update.. I didn’t even touch my laptop for two weeks. That was hard for me!

Menu Plan Monday

 

 

 

 

 

Here we are for another week… Do you have your menu plan ready yet?

Sunday:

Tuscan Pasta

This was a huge hit.. (this is our version of something similar at Pizza Hut)

Monday:

Today is leftover day….

Tuesday:

Steak, Hot Potato Salad, and a veggie

Wednesday:

Chicken Parmesan, and Sourdough Garlic Bread

Thursday:

Leftovers again!

Friday:

Pizza (maybe, not sure yet)

Saturday:

Pork Chops, oven roasted potatoes, and a veggie!

Simple Woman’s Daybook

 

 

 

 

 

FOR TODAY

April 2nd, 2012

Outside my window...

It is partially sunny, but kind of gray.. It looks like it wants to rain.  

I am thinking...

Wow, can’t believe it is April already… Where has the time gone? That means in 16 days Monkey Man turns 10… That is double digits.. (sniff, sniff) I’m so not prepared for this!

I am thankful for... 

The time I have been able to spend with them the last couple of years. While everyone may not understand my decision for homeschooling, I’m happy for it.

From the learning rooms...

Again this past couple weeks, we have not been doing much school. As we had to take a couple weeks off, while doing a big construction project. More to come on that soon..

From the kitchen... 

Tonight was leftovers… Now the fridge is clean again!

I am wearing... 

Jeans, t-shirt, and a sweatshirt. (not like a couple weeks ago when it was 90)

I am creating...

Lots of new ideas, to go along with our construction..  

I am going...

To be super busy for the rest of the month, and most of next… but it will be all worth it in the end…

I am reading...

A few new authors like Debbie MaComber… I’m hoping I will enjoy them… Keep you posted.

I am hoping...

This week goes a bit smoother than the last. We are way off our normal schedule and that doesn’t work well for us.

I am hearing... 

My kids getting ready for bed, and reading their stories.

 
Around the house... 

We did a ton of laundry today, and folded it… Cleaned up, and I did some paperwork.

One of my favorite things...

Our Monday’s… it may get crazy.. but we are together most of the day as a family!

A few plans for the rest of the week: 

4H, Cub Scouts, Library, Photography, and an appt at the end of the week, preparations for Easter!

The Homeschool Mother’s Journal

 

 

 

 

 

 

In my life this week…

I have been super busy… but not with much that is school related.

Which is why I have not posted anything on my blog in awhile.

An opportunity arose for us to get some work done, that we have wanted to have done for awhile, and so we took it.

However, that meant two crazy weeks, of hectic, crazy, sleepless, non structured time.

 

In our homeschool this week…

We didn’t do much that pertained to school. We did some reading, some wood work, and some life skills, but not much else. Back on track for this next week we hope.

Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…

Don’t be afraid to take other opportunities if they arise, because they can turn out to be the biggest blessings.

I am inspired by…

My online friends, that keep me remembering its ok to step back, breathe and move on. Better things are always around the corner.

Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…

This next week we are going to start back with 4H, been off a few weeks. (The kids are super excited)

Cub Scouts

Library, and maybe an appt. Not much..

My favorite thing this week was…

Seeing all the work we did, and how amazing it looks.

Questions/thoughts I have…

I’m anxious to in cooperate hiking and nature walks into our day. Love spring, summer, and fall.

Things I’m working on…

Patience, cause my kids are pushing me really hard lately.

I’m reading…

I’ve been checking out some new authors similar to Debbie MaComber. Let you know what I think of them next week.  

I’m cooking…

Today we are making Tuscan Pasta… (a knock off of a version from Pizza Hut) Look for it on my Menu Plan Monday Post.

I’m grateful for…

For the wonderful friends we have helped us out the last two weeks, so we could get as much done as we did. YOU ROCK!