Exam Week, Term 2- Weekly Wrap-Up 03.14.14

The week is rather uneventful and with it being Term 2 exams, there are only a few hours for school each day. 

Monday- Round table: sung hymns, kids recited all verses learned this year, and their recitations, ended with prayer. They both have six things to do each day this week for exams. I am undecided if I will put their work on the blog yet. Honestly, I've felt this term has been somewhat slacking and I'm sure it will be evident in their work. Vanity on my part, perhaps. It's undecided still. 

The weather is nice again but deceiving since we are in for another snow storm at some point. I went outside today for a bit but the kids didn't want to after 'school' was done. Their loss...but I probably should have made them. I put two entries on the Nature Journal page. The kids did go out later to ride their bikes.

We went to Goodwill in Eastlake today so that Lee could get in some driving time. Yes, that is truly why we went. But we found a full size iron board which I've been keeping an eye out for. Then we stopped at the library and came home. It was over an hour's driving for her. Only 23 more hours to go...

Tuesday Day #2 for Term 2 exams. Round table: hymns and prayer. Lee and I are planning on driving down to Akron for the Charlotte Mason book discussion group that meets at Barnes and Noble {Fairlawn, I think}. Edited: We went but uh, not much was covered. Lee and I mostly just sat and drank our tea. Long drive for tea...

Since the kids are 'busy' with exams- and that doesn't require much of me really- I want to get some made-ahead meals in the freezer. I don't really know why. I really like to have some meals premade and just need to be reheated or popped in the oven -or crockpot. Edited: I got some things made and in the freezer. I'd attempted a coconut flour biscuit recipe and wasted almost all of the coconut flour I had. They were not good. At all. Anyway, I made 12 bean and cheese burritos, 12 sausage, egg, and cheese on biscuit sandwiches, and a batch of scone 'biscuits'. Not even close to what I'd hope.

Wednesday Rain this morning and dark even at 8:00 am. It is partially because of daylight savings, but the clouds were full of rain. It did get to snowing about 9:00 am and now at 1:00 pm, we have lots of it again. 

No Round table this morning because I wanted to get to making stuff for the freezer. I got going slower than I'd planned though so when it was all said and done, all I got done was a batch of {strange} granola and pancakes. There is more granola to be made. The first batch of granola has no oats, just nuts and seeds, with egg white powder, coconut oil, cinnamon, stevia and erythritol. I'll eat it and they can have the other when it's done.

I was scouring the 'net for diy gf flours. I dislike using just what's at the store, which is primarily starches and rice flour. There are others, I know, but I have to go far to get the others. Finally, I found this site that has different diy gf flour mixes. I chose the Ancient Grains GF Blend. If I had a grain mill I might try the Milled GF Flour Blend. But honestly, I don't plan on ever having a grain mill. I wouldn't use it enough to justify the cost. 

While searching for gf related recipes, I was directed to Tammy's blog where I found a link to an article about Gluten Sensitivity and the Impact on the Brain. Interesting! Some other gf sites: Gluten Free Cooking School, A Year of Slow Cooking, and Marine Corps Nomads.

Thursday Shouldn't have had those sugar cookies yesterday... Fox made cookies in the afternoon and I had just a few. I didn't eat 'well' {which doesn't mean I ate poor choices- except for those cookies- but didn't eat enough} and suffered for it this morning. Headache and so. very. tired. Slept on the couch for a couple hours after the kids were up. 

The kids got their exam work done, their chores done, and some shoveling done. Now it's noon and Lee is making blondies. I. am. not. eating. ANY. Nope. They are actually for tomorrow's tea-time anyway. {Edited: I ate some. Of course.}

I started another book discussion post series. I really need to finish Amusing Ourselves to Death first but The Living Page is just so good. 

Dear hubby came home early with a migraine so the rest of the night was spent reading The Devil Walks in Mattingly {my review will be live 3/22/14} and starting The Book Thief. 

Friday Last day of Exam Week. It's such an easy week for me, this exam week thing. Lee said that it's a bit like having a week 'off' of school, although they still have hours of 'school' they do. Funny how the perspective is on that. Dh stayed home from work; still not 'well'. That meant I got to sleep in :) I forgot it was Friday and not Saturday, though. The kids didn't really want to get up and get going. They were done with their exams by about 11:00 am. I posted the results here and here. 

We did have tea-time. I'm sure it is because of the blondies set aside for today but Fox was practically sing-songing that tea-time was today. Silly boy. We played Stare and had tea. With blondies of course. 

The Weekly Barden still needs finished and some of my 'chores' need done. Hubby is still spending most of the day in bed so I might get out of those chores. 

I did get a box of foodstuffs I ordered on Wednesday {fast shipping!}, and am impatiently waiting for the other to arrive so that I can attempt some gf bread. I chose sorghum flour, brown rice flour, buckwheat flour, white rice flour, millet flour, and quinoa flour- all from Bob's Red Mill {from Amazon}. Hopefully I'll have some posts about my baking soon.

Tomorrow we are going to a police car auction, just because we can. None of us have ever been so it'll be an experience. Sunday is church and Monday is Pearls meeting. Those are the plans. 

And that's the week for us. How's your's been? 

Year 8, Term 2, Exam Results

These are my 9th grade ds' Y8 T2 results. I'm fixing all spelling errors. I just cannot type them incorrectly; any that remain are mine  I've put the questions and the answers here. 

Bible
1. Discuss in detail two of God's attributes.
A- I don't remember specific attributes. I do remember some things that were stated. God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent. He is merciful and kind, but set against sin. God will not change. How he was and is, He will be that way forever. God wishes none should sin and suffer the consequences, but rather join him in Heaven. 

2. Recite all verses learned thus far.
A- Recited. We use SCM memory box. Just a couple were not well memorized.

3. Relate a passage from your Bible reading that has been especially profound to you, and tell why.
A- I have been reading in Job. I am amazed at how Job reacts. He is complaining, yet never blaming God for any of his suffering. Job knew that he had done nothing wrong yet said "Blessed be the Lord." Job really shows how we should be when God gives us a trial. I found it inspiring how Job knew God's laws and rules so well, that he could say without a doubt, that he had done no wrong when others told him to repent.

Writing/Penmanship {he wrote in print, executed "perfectly." This is is own original poetry.}
Write 8-10 lines of poetry in your choice of verse.
A-
The Dishwasher

Off in the kitchen, there is a loud crack.
A plate had slipped right out of his hand.
It fell to the ground, almost hitting the cat's back.
The man sighed, this wasn't going as planned.
He was of noble blood, from the house of Asher.
As he picked up the pieces from the ground,
The cat rubbed itself against the noble dishwasher.
The man smiled, the feline was his only friend still around.
The End

Composition
1. Tell one episode from Westward Ho!
A- After sinking the Rose, Amyas and crew wandered the large island for three months. Out of the original 80 of the crew, only 50 or so remained. The Indian boy they had held captive decided to join them. The crew had been sick shortly after heading inland, killing a few. As they crossed a river, Indians shot some. Later they were going through a mountain pass and more Indians attacked them. Jack Brimblecombe and some others held them off so the others could escape. They all died heroically. Amyas remained calm and collected through all of it. Amyas decided the best path would be to try the mountain path again. The crew remains faithful and would follow their captain to the end of the world. The crew no longer has any shot left, but with the help of the Indian boy, have a large collection of bows and arrows. They head towards the mountains at the end of the chapter.

2. "All the world's a stage." Explain.
A- I believe this means that inspiration comes from everywhere. It could also mean that life is a story that we can watch others "act" in. Oh, the quote is from Shakespeare.

3. Tell something of Sir Walter Raleigh.
A- Sir Walter Raleigh was an author during Queen Elizabeth's reign. He wrote a book about a boat called the Revenge. It was a recording of a real battle. The Revenge held off many Spanish ships until there was little crew left. Only five or six lived to tell the tale. Raleigh wrote this book in memory of the men who died and as a sort of "it's the least I could do" type of thing, for Raleigh was originally called to go on the voyage with them, but had been sent back shortly before it left. Raleigh was thrown in the tower after Elizabeth died by the new king. The new prince would visit Raleigh. The two became good friends. Raleigh started to write a book for him, but as he was in the middle of writing it, the prince died in a riding accident. Raleigh was heartbroken and never finished his book.

English {we aren't doing grammar this year- working through POWA}
A- Worked in POWA.

History
2. Give an account of The Mayflower.
A- When Queen Elizabeth was in power, Puritans were very persecuted. A group of Puritans, wishing for peace, fled to Holland.They were there for 10 years before they decided they wanted to go to the new colonies in America. They talked with the Virginia Company, who was going to help them get over there. But first, they had to have the king's permission. The king, James I (for Queen Elizabeth had died whilst the Puritans were in Holland), asked them what they would do for a living. They told him fishing, and he granted them allowance to go. 101 people got onto a boat called the Mayflower. It took 2 1/2 months to get across but they did. They survived a tough first winter. That's all I remember.

4. Describe the New Model Army and trace the growth of Cromwell's power.
A- Cromwell's new model army was really simple. Back then, each general had their division. They all did what they thought was best. It caused confusion. Cromwell made it so there was a base attack plan for the entire army. This division did one thing every battle. And it worked quite well.

6. Tell about Johannes Kepler.
A- Mr. Kepler was smart and into astronomy. He often short sold himself. One example is when he was offered a position as an astronomy teacher. he worried that he couldn't do it. His friends rolled their eyes and told him to take the job. Kepler did and he enjoyed it immensely. 

Geography
1. Explain the theory Heyerdahl set out to prove. 
A- Heyerdahl lived in a group of islands that worshiped a god named Tiki. The natives believed that Tiki had come from far away by boat. Heyerdahl had found out that in South America, Tiki was worshiped there as well. Tiki had a different name, though. Heyerdahl knew about rafts that South Americans used out of balsa logs. Those rafts had been in use for as long as they had recorded history. Heyerdahl's theory was that Tiki was a South American who sailed to the islands on a balsa raft. 

2. Contrast Quito with the jungle of Quevedo. 
A-I don't recall where or what Quito is/was. So I will just explain the jungles of Quevedo. It is a jungle in South America. It is where Balsa trees grow. The jungle was hot and infested with bugs. Once, the author woke up and was going to put his shoe on, when a scorpion crawled out. 

3. "Not a day passed but we . . . were visited by inquisitive guests which wriggled and waggled about us . . ." What were some of these creatures?
A- If I recall correctly, this would be talking about the flying fish. "Not a day passed but we...were visited by inquisitive guests which wriggled and waggled about us." The "wriggled and waggled about us" is talking about how the fish would jump onto their raft and flop around until they died. One of the daily tasks of the chosen cook, would be to gather the fish on the deck up and make food out of them. The fish were silvery and shiny. They had large, long fins. Flying fish are not very large. 

Natural History and Chemistry
1. Write, in the style of Susan Fenimore Cooper about trees in your area.
A- The Red Maple. A red maple grows behind our house. It looks about 40 feet tall. These trees, Acer rubrum, can grow up to 89 feet. It can be used for maple syrup and lumber. The leaves are gone now, but they are in a W shape when grown. In spring it has fruit called Samara. We often call them "helicopters" due to the fact that they spin as they fall. 

2. Write an entry in your Nature Journal.
completed

3. What are some elements that you have learned and their abbreviations? Tell what else you know about the elements or the Periodic Table.
A- Over the term we have learned about many elements. First I will talk about Hydrogen. It is the lightest and first element on the periodic table. Its abbreviation is H. It has 1 proton. Hydrogen is an odorless, clear gas. Next I will talk about Silver. On the table it's abbreviated Ag. It is a metal, much like another element Gold, Au. It is known for its shine and softness. More metal elements are: Copper, Cu, Platinum, Pt and Iron, Fe. On the far right of the table are the 'noble gases'. These elements are nonreactive gases, meaning they don't combine easily with other elements into compounds. Some of the noble gases are Krypton, Kr, Argon, Ar and Neon, Ne.

4. Tell what you know about Sir Humphry Davy, Dmitri Mendeleev, or Ernest Rutherford.
A- Dmitri Mendeleev (De-mi-tree Men-de-lay-ev) {this was for *my* benefit because I cannot seem to pronounce the last name correctly lol} was born in Russia. He had many other siblings. His dad died whilst he was still young. After his siblings left home, Mendeleev's mother took him to a college. they denied allowing Mendeleev to study there. The two tried another college, and this time he was accepted. Whilst Mendeleev took a large pile of blank notecards and wrote down an element on each. He also wrote the atomic weight on each as well. He arranged them by weight and left gaps for elements that hadn't been discovered. He had created the first periodic table. using this he predicted the missing elements' weights and properties. He was spot on with all of them. 

5. Why does science matter?
A- Why I think science matters, is that it helps you understand how things work. Most humans desire to know things, especially how or why this does that. It also, for Christians, helps us to understand even more how great God is.

Citizenship/Government 
1. What is the difference between democracy and liberty?
A- Democracy is very different than liberty. Liberty is not being watched over by the government. Democracy is being "taken care of" by government. The founding fathers of the US did not want democracy. They wanted liberty-free of government, except for law enforcement. The government was not to add laws or tax people. They were simply to protect. 

2. Explain how the institution of slavery works in Utopia.
A-Slavery in Utopia was quite different than how normal slavery was. Slaves, first of all, were people who owed someone or broke certain laws. One way to become a slave was to travel twice without a permit. Slaves were given gold and jewelry as a sign of being a slave. Normal Utopians did not wear gold and jewels. Slaves were treated like a human, not some inferior life form. They could work out of slavery by meeting requirements. The requirements changed for each slave, as not all slaves had become slaves for the same reason.

3. Talk about "The Ways of Love".
A- One of the ways to love is pity. It is feeling sorry for someone. Another way to love is benevolence. This is forgiving and being kind to those who did something wrong to you.

Arithmetic
Do math for the day. {He did Khan Academy.}

Foreign Language
1. Have a conversation in ASL with Colleen and Mom. 
We did but... it was very short... need to work more on ASL.

2. Describe a picture from your German reader book, in German.
A- Die Katze un der Junge. 
Der Junge ist zeigt die Katze auf ein Zauberstab. Der Junge sagt "Hund ist Katze." Der Junge setzt sich auf der Stuhl. Die Katze setzt sich auf der Tisch.

Art/Picture study
1. Describe a picture from this term's picture study.
A- The Voyage of Life: Childhood
The picture was painted by Thomas Cole, one of the Hudson River school founders. It is the first in a series of paintings. This painting is set on a river. Behind the river are large cliffs. At the bottom of the cliffs are plains. As you get closer to the river you can see some purple wild flowers. On the river is a boat of wood. On the front of the small boat is an angel figure head. In the boat are an angel and an infant. The rivers comes out of a cave.

2. Submit any artwork completed this term.

Recitation
Gettysburg Address

Music Appreciation
1. Tell about your favorite piece of music from this term.
A- Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun
This is a piece by Debussy. It is quiet and pleasant to begin with. As it goes on it gets more exciting. You can hear a wind instrument very well. The the strings come in. It jumps in volume here and there. 

2. Tell about your favorite composer from this term.
A- Debussy was my favorite composer from this term. I liked how his music was different from the other music of his time. His music was upbeat and energetic. He wrote piano pieces and a few ballets. We listened to his Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun.

Circle Time...Not Just for Littles

Okay perhaps I wouldn't call it "Circle Time" with my kids. Although I'm not sure they know that's what it's called in elementary school. When we get together as a family for thanksgiving and prayer, hubby calls it "Round Table". {I like that.} 

The first time I can recall really paying attention to another homeschooler's "Circle Time" was through Cindy Rollins posts about their Morning Time. Reading her posts are always encouraging. I read her posts but, uh, I'll admit I don't pay attention to her posts. Does that make sense? Much like I read Charlotte Mason's books but don't pay attention. If I paid particular attention, I would think I'd have the little seeds planted in my brain, ready to bring forth some sort of fruit. I must pay some attention though, because I keep thinking about this thing Cindy calls Morning Time. {And of course I pay some attention to Charlotte Mason *wink*}

We've started something in the mornings that I would like to expand more into a "circle time". We {the kids and I- hubby is off to work hours before we get started} begin our day with prayer. Actually it goes breakfast, Bible reading and then prayer. We are still a little disconnected when it comes to when we do these things. I eat at 6:30, Fox eats at 7:30 and Lee eats about 8:00-ish. Bible reading is done while eating breakfast. The reason for that is that we are all in different places in our reading. We are all following different schedules. {Note to self: might be a good idea to get us all on the same schedule next year.}

Our prayer time is spent praying for our family, individuals we know and prayer requests that have come to us through our church's prayer bulletin. I've found it has really made a difference in our days. We miss our together time at least once a week, unfortunately, and those days just seem to go poorly. 

I want to include more in our Round Table time. More of the things that, as Cindy points out, I want them to not miss. I can't honestly say that I know that CM talked about a morning meeting but this comment has me wondering if I've just missed the references:

"...as a result of my early home school adventures and the reading of For the Children’s Sake (Susan Schaeffer Macaulay) followed by The Original Home school Series by Charlotte Mason, I began a morning meeting with my children as a way to incorporate subjects that were important to me but easily lost in the shuffle of conventional schooling."

I've read Macaulay's book, but it was a library book with a short loan time. I may have read it faster than I would have liked. I have not read all of CM's works either. They are always in my 'currently reading' pile.

I don't know yet what I will include in our Round Table because Cindy's list looks so long and daunting! She does say though that she's built it up to 2 hours. My kids are clockwatchers *sigh* and if our Round Table {read: prayer time} takes 30 minutes they feel it's been a long time. There's a reason they are clock-watchers- they are also addicted to their screen time {ah, as am I}. When school is done, they are allowed to play their video game. Something to work on...living life not playing video games or living in the virtual world. 

Well, this is something I'm going to be thinking more about and probably {hopefully} posting more about. I sure do wish I could have homeschooled from the start but I am so very glad that I can do it now.

Glimpse of Week #5- 2013/2014 School Year

An attempt at a weekly wrap up. I wanted to title this "Week of Mondays" but refrained. I'll try to keep this real but not too whiny.

Monday- school-wise was not too bad. It definitely felt like a Monday though. The kids and I went grocery shopping and I did some freezer cooking. Narrations are going well. Still work to be done.

I placed the order for the next math for Lee: Life of Fred Geometry.

I also placed my very first BIG Mary Kay order. I am excited and nervous about getting things going.

Tuesday- I FINISHED MY TAX COURSE! whew...that was the highlight of my day. Honestly don't recall much else lol.

Fortunately, there are records of what we did that day. Chemistry! We don't do it well... I wish we could have some fancy curriculum or chemistry set for our class ...but we don't. And even if we did, I'm still me. We read from a few books that are interesting and informative. And we attempt science experiments. What else do we really need? {don't tell me about this or that program... shhhhh...let me have my bliss} This isn't the best photo- somewhat blurry and there's still part of the label stuck to the jar. But I think you can see the strings in the syrup {sugar water that Fox wants to use on his pancakes- gag!}.

Wednesday- The kids and I had to go to Mentor to check on a bird and some plants {Lee's bird sitting and plant watering while a family is away on vacation}. We found good deals at the Walgreen's there: 2 dozen eggs for $1 and 2 Arizona teas for $1. Fox had taken some money out of the bank to buy himself paper and we discovered it's not make from trees. Oooooo. Lol. It is made from sugarcane husks and bamboo. Other than the smell it's just like other paper. It was on sale, too. *wink*

I got a heads up for a free student ID card site- with free shipping! It's called Alphacard, and the free shipping is always but the free student ID card is until 9/30/13 or until supplies last. It says it takes 2-4 weeks for delivery. They are not really fancy but better than what we personally had before. I love the ones from Homeschool Buyer's Co-op that can be printed out and I've never purchased one from them. I'm thinking Alphacard's will work perfect for us. Lee chose a blue bubble/splatter background and Fox chose the books background. Looking forward to getting them! 

Fox went back to Young Marines after almost a month. His platoon had gone to Washington, D. C., at the end of July. Fox didn't go because we plan on going as a family later in the year. Well, we were a little guilt ridden for saying he couldn't go {he didn't mind; he wanted his first time there to be a family affair}. It's a good thing he did not go. His platoon was the worst they've ever been. Apparently two of the boys that went actually got in a physical fight in front of high ranking officials. The boys were apparently flat out rude to others as well. Things were so bad that one of the volunteers who'd been with this group {not the same individuals, just the platoon} for four years, quit. I feel quite sorry for the Commanding Officer of my son's platoon. He tries hard and seems he gets nothing but grief in return. Apparently there was some 'restructuring' of the platoon when they got back. We are praying that things turn around for the platoon.

Lee and I made it to prayer meeting. We talked about baptism on our drive home.

Thursday- My computer made me mad. Yep. I was so not happy with it. I decided to wipe it clean. It took quite awhile. Things did not go smoothly. I think I should have waited to do the deed until after school requirements were out of the way...but no. I did not. I wiped it clean and it wouldn't work! That'll teach me to get mad at an electronic, right?

Since I am on it now {this is Friday}, it did eventually get worked out but was just such a hassle. I don't know which was worse; it's horrid slowness followed by crashing programs or having to redo the reboot more than once and then reinstall, repair drivers. Eh, it's done now. But anyhow. Two days {since it was funky on Wednesday as well} of "No, you cannot use the computer" kind of put a cramp on The Weekly Barden. It's been postponed until... maybe Saturday?

We went to Willoughby this morning for the kids' ASL Club meeting. I learned the sign for turtle! 

Friday- It's Friday...although it's felt like Monday for a good portion of it. School went quite well even with the kids walking to the library. They were gone for 2 hours and still managed to get school done by 2 something.

I'm still unhappy with my computer. 122 updates later and it has multiple issues. 

Oh here is our science experiment today.

And I think that's as far as my wrap up will go for this week. Overall, really, I guess it's not been too bad but for some reason it's felt like it has been. Now I'm off to watch some homemade flying videos my hubby made. Here's one that has all his videos and photos but someone else's edits and music {ahem, my hubby does better}.

Just for Fun- Stephen Foster

This is the most recent 'composer' we're studying about. When we (here at North Laurel Home & School) think 'composer' we don't usually think this sort of music; we think of classical, orchestral. But we are expanding our ideas. At first we were a little taken back by the music but we rather like it now. I remember "Oh Susanna!" from when I was younger, and "Camptown Races". I just didn't know the names or remember them until now.

School and In General -the Bad and the Good

It's not Friday so it's not a weekly wrap-up but it feels like there needs to be an update. For some reason, I don't know why.

Today is Thursday- not Monday although it's felt like it all day. Week 4 and...but... I feel like it's week 29! I'm not at burnout but I feel a tad whelmed. Yes, that's probably the best word for it. I'm not quite overwhelmed. There just doesn't feel like there was any rest. We've not gone all gung-ho into school again and we did have almost 2 months off from last year to this year.

Too much on my plate? Too much on their schedules? Too much... something? Not enough of something else? I just cannot put my finger on it!

In this post, I'll share what's been good ... and I'll be honest and share what's been not so good.

First, let's just get the not so good out there. As homeschoolers {oh gee, let's face it: as parents} we all have hours, days, or even weeks and months when things are just not going so well. It's not good to just pretend that everything is peachy. It's not healthy!

Chores... not getting done as well as they should. That goes for the kids and myself. Although I did get the table cleaned off ...for a chemistry experiment that didn't happen.

And although the table got cleaned off...the stuff just migrated to different spots.

As

I was going to take a photo of the kitchen area and then thought better of it. It's a little scary at the moment...but the dishwasher is running. There is hope.

Attitudes...they are lacking to put it nicely. We have a little 'helper' on our whiteboard but uh, I'm not sure he's visible enough and obviously not vocal enough to help us when we need it.

Lee has contemplated making Mr. Awesome and Mr. Negative badges for us to wear when we are being one or the other.

Inconsistency...I think this is mostly my doing. However, both kids know what they need to do and know how to do it. We're all responsible for ourselves. Sloppy school work, sloppy chores, incomplete tasks, etc. Constant works in progress!

Computer issues... it's been awhile so I'm mostly used to it by now. It's just getting old. Next month some time my internet contract is up, so I'm considering no more home internet. That means much less computer usage. I don't know if that's a good or not so good thing. Another on my list of things that overwhelms me. 

And finally, things that are somewhat beyond our control: unavailable resources for school. Fox has been doing German since last school year and Lee wishes to continue with Latin. I had resources -free for Fox, have to purchase for Lee- for both of these. Now the German resources aren't doing what we need them to do. It's looking like I will need to purchase a program. And for Lee, I don't have the funds yet to purchase her next Latin level! She's just about done with her math as well. The next level will need to be procured ASAP. It's always tough when we can't provide something. I don't want to short-change their education. It'll come together, I know, but in the meantime it's one of the things adding to my feeling of 'overwhelmed'. 

Now for the good! It's good to end on a positive note. 

I'm very happy {still} with our school choices. The curriculum at Ambleside Online is very challenging but interesting at the same time. Both of the kids, although not always, are enjoying their books. I honestly couldn't say without asking right at the moment which books are their favorites. But it's evident when they do their readings and narrations that they are 'getting it'.
I had a website through weebly that I'd compiled books from AO/HEO that are Kindle Ready but AO has updated their site recently to include a lot of the links {or better ones} that I'd found. I'm going to be giving up that site and the work that it entails. It was a sporadic source of income for me but I'd been changing the links to free sites as much as possible. That caused a drop in revenue. I won't get rid of the site -the address- but it's focus will probably change.  I did renew my domain name here at blogger but... I may be switching it all to the weebly site. I won't pay for a domain name again, I don't think. I'm still in the 'considering' stage. 

I've been doing really well with THM and am at the lowest I've been since I was in my early 20s. I don't want to go much lower and need to work on strength and endurance now. This morning's breakfast was a THM recipe: Trim Healthy Pancakes. I tweaked the recipe to include garbanzo bean flour as well as oats. Some of our dinner meals have als been THM and for the most part, acceptable to the rest of the family. Absolutely NO cooked radishes in any of the dishes that are meant for the entire family. It's been firmly requested by dear hubby.

Speaking of radishes! that's the only thing that has grown in our garden this year. It's quite discouraging that nothing else has BUT it hasn't really bothered me enough to fit in my list of overwhelming things *wink*.

I am hoping the cool weather will be good for the broccoli that is still in the garden. It hasn't grown large enough to even produce any florets. It's still warm enough, I think that it could still give us some good produce. It remains to be seen.

As silly as this may sound to others who are followers of Christ: I have just recently come to the understanding -true, in my heart as well as my head- that prayer before a decision is necessary. I may have a delayed understanding but the light bulb has finally come on and wow! it's bright! The way the light bulb was turned on? My Mary Kay Director prayed for me, on the phone, before I took her challenge to sell 25 items to get my business going.

I did not pray before I made the decision to rejoin Mary Kay. I did not pray when I signed up for a website. I did not pray when I first put myself out there that I'd made the commitment. And the result? Nothing. I got nothing. So what happened after prayer? I am 10 items closer to my 25 item goal, and I feel more peace about the endeavor. I believe prayer works but senselessly I've not been utilizing it very well. In this business aspect or other aspects of my life. It's a work in progress but now that the light is on, I hope to keep it shining.

I've been studying my Bible more consistently and it's amazing how much I missed by trying to make sure I got it read in a year. I am enjoying it. I'm not pressured to get it in and mark off the day's reading. I've started a notebook with my studying. Following a chronological schedule still, I'm not concerned about what day I'm supposed to be on. I'm learning what God has for me to learn from his Word. Someday I'll even be able to think of verses off the top of my head for situations and circumstances (Deut 6:7? teach them diligently unto thy children...talk of them when you sittest in your house...when you walkest by the way...when you liest down...and when you risest up- how'd I do? I'll have to look!).

And I think I will leave this post on that note. I started this post with the feeling of heaviness; I feel relieved. I write my blog posts for a number of purposes: to get the words out of my head, to reflect on our homeschooling and life in general, and to possibly help others if even a small way.

Week 2...In Progress

Our first two weeks back to school has spanned four weeks. Our first week I blogged about already so now here's our progress in week two. But first- we get a little help from our friends when working on math ;)

We finally, albeit late, got the Weekly Barden, Summer Time Edition up and out.

I noticed that after all of my planning and feeling quite accomplished, what, back in June?, I've misplaced files and information. There are books or essays that I put on the kids' schedules that, um, I don't know where I put. It was about the same time I was trying to 'clean' my laptop {which did not work, btw; but no worries, I'm done playing around with it for now}. I am fairly sure that I just rearranged files. I just have to relocate them.

The kids and I worked on individual subject/day schedules for them so that they can be more efficient {that's the hope anyway} with their school work. Basically they both went off of the previous year's schedule. We don't have very much that is 'all together' this year. Last year it seemed our entire morning was 'all together'. They have chemistry, logic, music and Sign Language together {that means "all together"}. I'm not sure if next year they will have any thing together!

This week actually has six days for school work and three days of Bible instruction at the Great Lakes Youth Conference {it won't be all work and no play, I can assure you, but if you look at the link, they won't go to Cedar Point}. Here you can see a photo from last year's conference. You probably won't be able to pick them out but they are the fifth row from the front, in the middle set of seats. Lee is to the far right, second to the left of our pastor. Fox is three people to the left of Lee. Anyway... I seem to be getting distracted. 

They will get plenty of 'school' this second week. However, we are still actually trying to make sure all got covered from week one! 

I'm going to share the schedules that we made together for each of the kids. I'd like to share it in table form but I don't know how. Here's Lee's:

Monday: Bible (reading, verses, devotional), Math, History/Biography, Govt/Economics/Citizenship/Worldview, Composition (writing), Foreign Language

Tuesday: Bible (reading, verses, commentary), Math, Geography, Govt/Economics/Citizenship, Literature/Composition, Science, Art, Foreign Language

Wednesday: Bible (reading, verses), Math, Govt/Economics/Citizenship/Worldview, Literature/Essays/Composition, Science, Logic, Music, Foreign Language

Thursday: Bible (reading, verses), Math, History/Biography, Govt/Citizenship/Worldview, Literature/Poetry/Composition, Science, Foreign Language

Friday: Bible (reading, verses), Math, Geography, Citizenship, Composition, Nature Study, Logic, Foreign Language

Here's Fox's:

Monday: Bible (reading, verses, devotional), Math, History, Citizenship/Worldview, Literature/Poetry/Composition, Logic, Foreign Language

Tuesday: Bible (reading, verses, commentary), Math, History/Biography, Citizenship/Worldview, Literature/Composition, Nature Study/Science, Art, Foreign Language

Wednesday: Bible (reading, verses), Math, History, Citizenship/Worldview, Composition (writing), Science, Logic, Music, Foreign Language

Thursday: Bible (reading, verses), Math, History/Biography, Govt/Economics/Citizenship/Worldview, Literature/Grammar/Composition, Science, Art, Health, Foreign Language

Friday: Bible (reading, verses), Math, Geography/History/Biography, Citizenship/Worldview, Literature/Poetry/Composition, Nature Study, Foreign Language

My dh asked me last night if I was supervising the kids' education {lol, yeah that is how he said it}. I said of course! But now I know I can't trust Lee to back me up on that because when I said, "tell him," she said, "um, well, not really..." Ack! heehee... awkward. My dh just raised his eyebrows at us as he walked away. Fortunately, later I was redeemed {lol} because Lee and I were working together on her school stuff.

So that has been so far this second week. I'm not sure if I will get the rest of the week recorded here before our week three starts. Guess we will see.

Only a Few Days Left...and "It" Starts Again!

...school. That's what "it" is. 

**This post contains Amazon affiliate links. See full Disclosure/Policies.**

I spent one full week planning it all out. I've written posts about it; here and here. Oh yes, and here. It's barely mentioned in the first part of this post as well. It's all 'down on paper' and ready to go. 

But am I? I feel like I still have all that planning left to do. Perhaps I should get it all out, double-check it and then tack it up so I can see it; make myself feel better. 

Are the kids ready? Well, probably not if you ask them but by their actions and behaviors, yeah they're ready. Actions speak louder than words, remember? Our school day isn't strict and regimented. We don't start at a precise time, work on a subject for an allotted time and then move to the next. Our breaks aren't planned into the day necessarily. But there is still a routine that school provides. We have school hours from 9am to 4pm. They may not like it but they do like it. They do better with it. It helps with self-discipline; knowing you have something that you have to do and cannot do other things until it is complete.

I also just thought that one of my goals for this coming school year was to get the kids' school books read before they started. That's a real hoot! I've finished two of Lee's books (Character is Destiny and Evaluating Books) and am about 1/2 way through one of Fox's (The Case for Christ).

The first month of school will actually amount to about 2 weeks because we'll start after July 4th (Fox is in a parade with the Young Marines that day so it'd be hours out of the day anyway). When I made that decision, silly me, I didn't realize it fell on a Thursday and we could have had school the other three days. The third week of July we will be out of town for much of it. Another week gone. Then the last week includes Fox's birthday (holiday for North Laurel School *wink*). The "official" number of days for school in July = 12. The 'field trip' the third week of the month might be considered school; we are visiting the Wright-Patterson AFB in Dayton, Ohio. Quite educational! We will be going camping overnight that week also. Another educational experience. So, I could squeeze 4 more school days out of the month. If I were really wanting to push it and count more, the Fourth of July Parade could be counted as well. But I'm not really that concerned with number of days of school. In Ohio I am required to cover 900 hours for school. E.a.s.y...

Having put this down here, for some reason, I feel much more relaxed. I'm still going to double-check my plans to see if there is anything important I missed and/or need to alter. Otherwise we're good to go!

2013-2014 Curriculum Plan, AO’s Y10 & Y8, 11th & 9th Grade

Not that I’m switching curriculum because it’s AO every time. We’ve come far from our start with CM/AO and I’m impressed with my kiddos. We still won’t cover absolutely everything on the booklist or on the schedule but I’m confident in what we, they, will accomplish. You can see the original Y10 and Y8 AO booklist and weekly schedules at AO’s official site.

I’m getting this all down now and out of the way. Just about all of the books have been acquired but for just a couple. Next step will be the week by week break down. Another post may detail our science plan (not that we really did so well with our ‘plan’ for science this year lol- it’s good to have a plan anyway). There are still 2 weeks left of the 2012-2013 school year but I’m looking forward to next year! *I’m also looking forward to our break in between *

This may seem like a long post but it’s mostly just because I’m spelling out (snicker) all my abbreviations for the year for each student in this post. Of course, it might also have some mistakes. This is possibly the first year using AO that we will have so many physical books. There are links here in this post, none are affiliate links and all link to free resources.

Lee: 11th grade, Y10

Book abbreviations (some books used all terms, some *T1, others **T2 &/or ***T3):
TCS: The Christian’s Secret to a Happy Life (devotion) –ebook
AHAP: A History of the American People (history) –physical book
*KUTC: Key to Uncle Tom’s Cabin (history) –online
*TSotA: The Spirit of the Age (short bios) –online
*UFS: Up From Slavery (history) –online
*WtB: Walking the Bible (geography) –physical book
EB: Evaluating Books (govt/econ) –physical book
*TL: The Law, Bastiat (govt/econ) –online
CiD: Character is Destiny (citizenship) –physical book
CE: Current Events (citizenship) –online
WB: Weekly Barden (citizenship/current events/writing)
TSCW: Thinking Straight in a Crooked World (worldview) –physical book
HOEL: History of English Literature (literature/history) –physical book
LM: Les Miserables (literature) –ebook
*UTC: Uncle Tom’s Cabin (literature) –physical book
ROtOS: Roar On the Other Side (poetry) –physical book
POWA: Paradigm Online Writing Assistant (composition) –pdf
LoF: Life of Fred Advanced Algebra, Geometry (math) –physical book
NWtS: North With the Spring (nature study/science) –physical book
HtRaB: How to Read a Book (logic) –physical book
* **AoA: Art of Argument (logic) –physical book
YSGtC: Young Scholar’s Guide to Composers (music) –pdf

Term 1Bible: Reading, verses, TCS
History/Biography: AHAP, TSotA, UFS, Speeches/Documents
Geography: Eothen, WtB, Seterra
Govt/Econ: EB, TL
Citizenship: Ourselves, CiD, CE, WB
Worldview: TSCW
Literature: HOEL, LM, UTC, KUTC
Essays: various
Poetry: Coleridge, RotOS
Grammar/Composition: POWA, written narrations
Math: LoF
Science: Chemistry
Nature Study: journaling, NWtS
Logic: HtRaB, AoA
Art: Degas, Manet, independent projects
Music: YSGtC, practice (trumpet, piano?)
Health/PE: Nutrition 101, other books (?), outdoor activities, homeschool events
Foreign Language: Latin, Sign Language
Free reads: UFS, WtB (those 2 at-your-own-pace, but must be completed by end of term), NWtS, LM (those 2 year-long), any from AO’s list

Book abbreviations not mentioned above (used **T2 &/or ***T3 when specified):
KA: Killer Angels –physical book
ASAL: A Short Life of Abraham Lincoln –ebook
** ***TOT: The Oregon Trail –online
** ***ToB: Tower of Babel –pdf
FR: Frankenstein –ebook
** ***DJMH: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde –ebook

Term 2Bible: Reading, verses, TCS
History/Biography: AHAP, KA, ASAL, Speeches/Documents
Geography: Eothen, TOT Seterra
Govt/Econ: EB, Sowell Essays
Citizenship: Ourselves, ToB, CE, WB
Worldview: TSCW
Literature: HOEL, LM, FR, DJMH
Essays: various
Poetry: E. B. Browning, RotOS
Grammar/Composition: POWA, written narrations
Math: LoF
Science: Chemistry
Nature Study: journaling, NWtS
Logic: HtRaB, AoA (? may be finished Term 1)
Art: Hudson River School Artists, independent projects
Music: YSGtC, practice (trumpet, piano?)
Health/PE: Nutrition 101, other books (?), outdoor activities, homeschool events
Foreign Language: Latin, Sign Language
Free reads: NWtS  (year-long), any from AO’s list

Book abbreviations not mentioned above (only used T3):
BMH: Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee –physical book
QV: In the Days of Queen Victoria –ebook
OL: On Liberty –online
GA: Graves of Academe –online
SM: Silas Marner –physical book

Term 3Bible: Reading, verses, TCS
History/Biography: AHAP, BMH, QV, Speeches/Documents
Geography: Eothen, TOT, Seterra
Govt/Econ: EB, OL, GA
Citizenship: Ourselves, CiD, ToB (?), CE, WB
Worldview: TSCW
Literature: HOEL, LM, DJMH (?), SM
Essays: various
Poetry: E. B. Browning, RotOS
Grammar/Composition: POWA, written narrations
Math: LoF
Science: Chemistry
Nature Study: journaling, NWtS
Logic: HtRaB
Art: Hudson River School Artists, independent projects
Music: YSGtC, practice (trumpet, piano?)
Health/PE: Nutrition 101, other books (?), outdoor activities, homeschool events
Foreign Language: Latin, Sign Language
Free reads: NWtS  (year-long), any from AO’s list

Fox: 9th grade, Y8

Book abbreviations (some used all terms, some only *T1, others **T2 &/or ***T3):
TCC: The Case for Christ (devotion) –physical book
TNW: The New World (history) –physical book
*AMFAS: A Man For All Seasons (history/biography) –movie/movie guide
*LSFB: Life of Sir Francis Bacon (history/biography/citizenship) –online
GD: Galileo’s Daughter (biography/history) –physical book
TLCC: The Life of Christopher Columbus From His Own Letters and Journals (geography/history) –ebook
WHJ?: Whatever Happened to Justice? (govt) –physical book
CTAP: Christian Theology and Ancient Polytheism (worldview) –physical book
SotS: Secret of the Scribe (worldview) –physical book
AYHIW: A Young Historian’s Introduction to Worldview (worldview) –physical book
WH!: Westward Ho! (literature) –ebook
*FWFL: Fierce Wars and Faithful Loves (poetry)
SS: Shakespeare Sonnets –online
JG: Jensen’s Grammar (grammar) –physical book
TLAW: The Lively Art of Writing (composition) –physical book
RH: Rural Hours (nature study/science) –ebook
F&WM: Fearfully & Wonderfully Made (health/science) –physical book
HtRaFF: How to Read a French Fry (science/cooking/home ec) –physical book
CE: Current Events (citizenship) –online
WB: Weekly Barden (citizenship/current events/writing)
HOEL: History of English Literature (literature/history) –physical book
ROtOS: Roar On the Other Side (poetry) –physical book
LoF: Life of Fred Beginning Algebra (math) –physical book
HtRaB: How to Read a Book (logic) –physical book
* **AoA: Art of Argument (logic) –physical book
YSGtC: Young Scholar’s Guide to Composers (music) –pdf

Term 1Bible: Reading, verses, TCC
History/Biography: TNW, AMFAS, LSFB, GD, Speeches/Documents
Geography: TLCC, Seterra
Govt/Econ: WHJ?
Citizenship: Ourselves, Utopia, Francis Bacon Essays, CE, WB
Worldview: CTAP, AYHIW, SotS
Literature: HOEL, Everyman, WH!
Essays: Francis Bacon
Poetry: SS, FWFL, RotOS
Grammar/Composition: JG, TLAW, written narrations
Math: LoF
Science: Chemistry
Nature Study: journaling, RH
Logic: HtRaB, AoA
Art: Degas, Manet, independent projects
Music: YSGtC, practice (piano?)
Health/PE: F&WM, Nutrition 101, other books (?), outdoor activities, homeschool events
Home Ec: cooking, HtRaFF
Foreign Language: Latin, German
Free reads: WH!, RH, HtRaFF (all three year-long; at-your-own-pace but must be done by year’s end), any from AO’s list

Book abbreviations not mentioned above (used **T2 & ***T3 when specified):
AHPP: A History of Plymouth Plantation
** ***OC&RP: Oliver Cromwell & the Rule of the Puritans in England
TLoJD: The Life of Dr. (John) Donne –physical book
TDoSP: The Diary of Samuel Pepys –online
** ***KT: Kon Tiki –physical book
GA: Great Astronomers –ebook

Term 2Bible: Reading, verses, TCC
History/Biography: TNW, AHPP, Johannes Kepler in GA, OC&RP, TLoJD, GD, Speeches/Documents
Geography: TLCC, KT, Seterra
Govt/Econ: WHJ?
Citizenship: Ourselves, Utopia, Francis Bacon essays, CE, WB
Worldview: CTAP, AYHIW, SotS,
Literature: HOEL, WH!, TDoSP (excerpt)
Essays: Francis Bacon
Poetry: SS, John Donne & George Herbert, RotOS
Grammar/Composition: JG, TLAW, written narrations
Math: LoF
Science: Chemistry
Nature Study: journaling, RH
Logic: HtRaB, AoA (? may be finished Term 1)
Art: Hudson River School Artists, independent projects
Music: YSGtC, practice (piano?)
Health/PE: F&WM, Nutrition 101, other books (?), outdoor activities, homeschool events
Home Ec: cooking, HtRaFF
Foreign Language: Latin, German
Free reads: WH!, RH, HtRaFF (all three year-long; at your own pace but must be done by year’s end), any from AO’s list

Book abbreviations not mentioned above (used only in T3):
TW: The Holy War –ebook
WH&D: William Harvey and the Discovery of the Circulation of the Blood –ebook

Term 3Bible: Reading, verses, TCC
History/Biography: TNW, OC&RP, GD, Speeches/Documents
Geography: TLCC, KT, Seterra
Govt/Econ: WHJ?
Citizenship: Ourselves, Utopia, Francis Bacon essays, CE, WB
Worldview: CTAP, AYHIW, SotS
Literature: HOEL, THW
Essays: Francis Bacon
Poetry: SS, John Milton, RotOS
Grammar/Composition: JG, TLAW, written narrations
Math: LoF
Science: Chemistry
Nature Study: journaling, RH
Logic: HtRaB
Art: Hudson River School Artists, independent projects
Music: YSGtC, practice (piano?)
Health/PE: F&WM, Nutrition 101, other books (?), outdoor activities, homeschool events
Home Ec: cooking, HtRaFF
Foreign Language: Latin, German
Free reads: WH!, RH, HtRaFF  (all three year-long; at your own pace but must be done by year’s end), any from AO’s list