because chickens are homeshool curriculum

My latest acquisition...French Black Copper Maran chicks.  We think at least one is a rooster.  These lay super dark chocolate colored eggs.  I can't wait!!

As for the title...well, yes, we count anything and everything for homeschool curriculum...after all there are lessons in every aspect of life.  And that is what we are doing - teaching life.

 

Until next time... JenT

learning geography

Over the years my homeschooling method has went through a few changes.  I started with workbooks, stopped using certain ones, added textbooks, stopped using workbooks completely, went to unit studies, and that's about where we are.

My method leans more toward an unschooling atmosphere than a traditional style.  This year I decided we would learn geography as a unit study.  Since they are all at different levels in math and reading they need their own individual books for that.  But for geography we use this:

Along with this:

I really like how the geography book has different levels of activities for the kids.  I can teach them all at once, but they don't all have to do the same work.

The atlas is awesome!  It's colorful and each state has a two page layout with a map, historical figures highlighted, the state symbols, flag, coin, and a fun fact.  For example, did you know that one time a group of people decided an island was a hazard in a river in Maine and hitched a team of 200 oxen to it, to move it!!  Unsuccessfully of course.  lol   Also, over 70 million pounds of lobster are harvested each year in Maine.  Wow!!

So if you are thinking about teaching geography I highly recommend this book and atlas!  You can get the best price on Amazon, especially if you have prime (free shipping!).






Until next time...

JenT

graduate number two

13 years ago we started down a path called "Homeschooling".  We were totally new at this.  We knew a few people that were starting at the same time, or had only been doing it for a few years.  We were completely in the dark.  Greenhorns.  Newbies.

Last year we graduated our oldest child.  She had no desire to get a college degree so we did not pursue that.  (I mentally sighed in relief - I did not want to tackle ACT scores, scholarship applications, etc.)

This year, we graduated our second child.  SHE wants to be a Radiologist.  Hmm...college forms here we come!  Thankfully, she is very motivated and initiative oriented.  She is filling out all the paperwork and I just have to provide some information sometimes.

And yes, they both graduated early.  That's one of the benefits of homeschooling.  They work at their own pace and that usually means faster than public school students.  Child number one graduated at 17, child number two graduated at 16. 

And I still have 11 more to go!!

Until next time...

JenT

graduation time

The time has come. 

Our first graduate.


Until next time...

JenT

today!!

Today is the first day of the Applachian Home Educators Conference right here in my town of Pigeon Forge, TN.

I am so looking forward to this.  I'm volunteering tonight at the registration table, so if you come by be sure and find me and say hi.

I've been looking over the schedule of speaker and found a couple of ladies I am so eager to listen to.  I hope I get the chance.

If you are close to east TN (Pigeon Forge), I hope you take the time to come out to the conference.  If you are already registered to attend and are already here - you made a good choice. :)



Until next time...

 JenT

local homeschool conference and chess

I love the fact that we are having a homeschool conference in my town.  I've lamented not being able to attend one in all the years I've been homeschooling.  There was always too much expense involved for the whole family to attend, or it was not a good time for me to be away from home.

So when I found out Appalachian Home Educators was holding a conference I got very excited.  I volunteered right away, then volunteered my two oldest girls. :)

Now more excitement for more than just me.  They are going to hold a chess tournament!!

 (When pieces go missing, improvise with Lego people).

My kids have been playing chess for several years now.  They started at a much younger age than I did.  When I was a teenager, a cousin of mine and I came across an old chess set at our great-grandmother's old house.  We asked if we could have it and that summer we taught ourselves how to play.  It's fun and educational!  lol  Of course I would have to say that.

Anyway, if you are planning on attending the conference, don't forget to sign up for the chess tournament.  I have 2 or 3 that plan to sign up.  There are two age categories; primary (5-9) and youth (10-18).  The only thing they need to know is how to play chess.  And if they don't know and are wanting to learn, now is a good time!  You have until June 24th to register.  Of course the earlier, the better price you pay.

The Appalachian Home Educators Conference is June 26th-28th, 2014.  Don't miss it!!!

Until next time...


 JenT

homeschool conference in my town!!

Until next time... JenT

it's all about love

 

Valentine's Day is for sweethearts!  Or is it?

Well, sure it is.  But it doesn't have to be EXCLUSIVELY for them, right?  Right!

After all, if that were the case then the kiddos couldn't enjoy it. 

I'm hoping this year to get my kids more involved with showing love to everyone around them.  I found this handy-dandy list of 20 different random acts of kindness to help give us some ideas.

You can find it HERE.

Until next time...


JenT

Christian homeschool curricula

A couple of days ago I posted a list of "secular" homeschool curricula.  I said I would make a list of Christian homeschool curricula, so here is that post.  If any of the links don't work, PLEASE let me know.

A-Beka (full)
ACE (full)
Alpha-Omega Publications (full - with 5 different choices of curricula - Monarch, Swithed-On-Schoolhouse, LIFEPAC, Horizons, the Weaver Curriculum)
Apologia (mainly science with some geography and language arts)
Bob Jones University Press (full)
Christian Liberty Press (full)
Christian Light Education (full)
Cornerstone Curriculum (math, science, art, music, Bible)
KONOS (everything but math, I believe)
Landmark Freedom Baptist Curriculum (full)
Learning Language Arts Through Literature (through Common Sense Press; they have other subjects but grammar/literature is their main one.)
Math-U-See (math)
My Father's World (full)
Notgrass (history and government)
Rod & Staff Publishers (full - the link on this one takes you to the site that Rod & Staff would send you to)
Sonlight (full)
Teaching Textbooks (I'm not 100% sure about this one, but I do know that other Christian curricula recommend it and many of my friends use it.  I watched a sample and am seriously considering switching to this for math)
Timberdoodle (full)
Total Language Plus (language arts grades 3-12)

This is by no means an exhaustive list.  If I had more time, I'm sure I could find many more curricula online.  However, since I don't have unlimited time to spend on this, I will list a few more sites that you can explore on your own.

CLASS - helps you choose curriculum
Christian homeschoolers - provides another list of Christian curricula
Homeschool Curriculum Explorer - has some excellence points on why to choose a Christian curriculum
The Educational Freedom Coalition - has a very comprehensive list of which curricula are aligned with the Common Core and which are not; you have to click on the individual tabs to see the different lists

I hope this is helpful to someone.  Feel free to share this list with others.


Until next time...


JenT

"secular" list of homeschool curriculum

 Disclaimer:  I have do not know anything about these curriculum choices.  I do not agree with using K-12 because it is just an extension of public school.  However; there are some people that do not want to use a "Christian" curriculum and yet want to homeschool their children.  I would not ever want to discourage that.  So here is a list that I borrowed from a fellow homeschool mom on Facebook.  I tried to post it to a page there and after much trial and tribulation I think I managed to get it on there.  But just in case it doesn't work, I'm posting here and will share the link on FB.

Here goes:

All in One:
Moving Beyond the Page
Oak Meadow
K-12
Calvert
Build Your Library

Grammar:
Easy Grammar
Daily Oral Language Carson-Dellosa
Daily Grams
Wordly Wise
Growing with Grammar
Michael Clay Thompson

Spelling:
All About Spelling
Sequential Spelling
Soaring with Spelling
Spectrum Spelling
Spelling Power

Reading:
All About Reading
Hooked on Phonics
Spectrum Reading
Explode the Code
Wordly Wise
McRuffy

Writing:
Winning with Writing
BraveWriter
Michael Clay Thomas
Spectrum Writing
McRuffy

Science:
Focus on Science
Interactive Science by Pearson
Reading about Science
R.E.A.L. Science Odyssey:
Life Science
Earth and Space
Chemistry
Elemental Science
Supercharged Science
Exploration Education
Joy Hakim Story of Science
Science Fusion
McRuffy

Mathematics: (method type, S:Spiral, M:Mastery)
Singapore math
Math Mammoth
Mathematics Enhancement Programme MEP
Critical Thinking Company Mathematical Reasoning
Math-U-See
ALEKS Math (M)
Calvert Math
Saxon Math
Beast Academy
McRuffy

History:
Pearson Learning/Core Knowledge
History Odyssey
History of US by Joy Hakim
Mosaic History
The Story of the World

Also!  I am in no way, nor ever will be a supporter of the Common Core.  If these are aligned with it or whatever I have no idea.  Do your own research, these are just a guideline.

Now if you want a list of Christian curriculum, let me know and I can write another post.  I can also provide a list of which curriculum are aligned with CC or will be changing to align with it, or do not plan to align with it.  In fact, I think I'll do just that.  Watch for a future post on Christian curriculum and CC alignment. :)


Until next time...


JenT

Lego learning

Honestly, I can't take credit for this idea.  My creative husband came up with it.  May be a guy thing? 
A way to learn reading using Mega Bloks (or big legos as I call them).  You may have seen the thing using legos to teach fractions in math.  A great idea, I had just never thought of using them for reading. 

The individual blocks are the letters. 

The doubles are blends.  (sorry it's blurry; it's qu)

Use triples and quads to put the letter on to make up words. 

You would have to combine some to make words of five or more letters. 

Until next time...

JenT

You know you're a homeschooler when...

 ...you have an old-fashioned pencil sharpener screwed to your mantel.

Until next time...

JenT

homeschooling with toddlers

A question I've been asked before is "What do you do with your little ones (who aren't school age) while homeschooling the older ones?"

I hope this helps.

Kidding! I'm kidding! I hope no one calls children's services on me.

Actually in all seriousness I usually have the little ones help me with chores and stuff while the older ones do their school work. I stop and help them when they have questions, but they do a lot of work on their own. The little ones also have blanket time and play time periodically throughout the day. And, of course, a lot of school is done during nap time.

Sometimes we all learn something together by watching a video or going on a field trip. And then there are the things they just pick up by doing stuff around the house.


Until next time...