Resource links

Yay! Another year of homeschooling! I hope some of my favorite resources will be helpful this coming year.

Everyday Edits(language arts)

Grade level educational games

Spelling City...Awesome!

Gutenberg.org...Read thousands of books online for FREE!

Bibliomania...another resource for reading books online for free

Cheap Books! Abebooks

Sonlight supplement

fun online kids encyclopedia

Fun math resource...coolmath4kids

Finally summer!

We just finished up with 1st grade about two weeks ago. As much as we love homeschooling, it is so nice to have a break! However, we will continue to do a math sheet every few weeks and read this summer to keep little minds sharp. Now I get to do all of the things I put off during school...going through old clothes, shoes, and toys and general "dejunking"...fun,fun,fun! And the girls' summer fun has already begun...swimming, going to the movies, hanging out with friends, church camps, etc. August will come so soon, but I know we will be so excited to jump into a new year then. Wishing you a happy summer!

Happy Mother's Day!

I want to wish a Happy Mother's day to all of you moms who dedicate your life to your family...to the mom's who despite public opinions, ridicule, and little support choose what your heart tells you is best for your children. You are pioneers...daring to go where few moms have been. You are confident...knowing no one knows or loves your children better than you do, and you will see the bountiful fruits of your labor. You are resourceful...seeking out whatever your children need to better their education and to foster their natural gifts for their future. You are selfless...pouring yourself into your family as a love offering made without resentment or hesitation.

May the Lord bless and keep you sweet Moms!

Free Resource for Homeschoolers!

Here is a free resource that looks like a lot of fun! It is a printable set of multiplication flash cards that your kids color. Enjoy!


Free Multiplication Flash Cards

Updates

We are getting closer to the end of our school year. We still have 8 weeks to go due to illnesses a few weeks ago. We are gearing up for ballet recitals and the remaining letsgolearn.com test (which we don't really prepare for, we just need to do it ;). My oldest took the math portion about 6 weeks ago and scored grade 2.5 which is awesome for math I think seeing as she was about 1/2 way through grade 1. She has learned so much, and I have been astonished at how well she has retained it all. She uses her vocabulary words from her books often in her common language. The other day we were at the grocery store, and the clerk greeted her and was talking with her. She remarked, "We came to get provender." LOL. The clerk just looked at her blankly, and my daughter said, "You know, food." This was her first year taking ballet, and she has really learned so much and had so much fun. I am really surprised with the ease of learning that goes on between us. There are tough days to be sure, but mostly the difficulty with us is motivation to get going in the morning and distractions (aka my 3 year old, and following "rabbit trails" looking up interesting things that go with what we're learning). We are currently studying the Greeks, Socrates/Plato/Aristotle, and Alexander the Great in History. I can't believe how much I'm learning! I definitely think it's true that you learn more as a teacher than as a student.

Just ordered for next year!

So this week I made my order for my two girls for next year. For the little one (3 in March), I ordered 10 various books from Sonlight's cores pk 3/4 and pk 4/5, flashcards and some little Bible books (Big Thoughts for Little Thinkers) from Christianbook.com. We will just enjoy reading together, learning ABC's and 123's, some early phonics and sight words, and colors and shapes.

For the oldest (6 1/2) this is what we'll be doing:
From Sonlight:
Sonlight Core 2 (4 day) with Grade 2 Intermediate readers (History, Reading, Read-alouds, Geography)
Sonlight Science 2 (4 day)
Sonlight Language Arts 2 Int. (plus recommended workbooks)
Horizons Math 2
A Reason for Handwriting (grade 2)
Sequential Spelling 2
Usborne's Childrens Book of Art (Internet Linked)
Mathtacular 2
Maps and Globes

From Christianbook.com:
Big Truths for Little Kids
Wee Sing World
Prima Latina DVD's and workbook
The Lightlings
The Victor Journey through the Bible
(I got many of these ideas from Veritas Press...but they are a little higher)

I'm really excited that I was able to order the Mathtacular and the Prima Latina DVD's. That makes my life sooo much easier. Math is fun...check. Actual Latin teacher who won't mispronounce half the words...check. The Science also comes with a fun Discover and Do DVD that is really neat.

Also here in a few weeks, my oldest will be taking her DORA and DOMA tests from www.letsgolearn.com (which we don't have to do, but it's helpful for me to know what she needs more work on).

Now I can't wait for box day!!! It is always so much fun when the books come in :). We all get in the floor and dive through the books. Now I just have to clean off the bookshelves and find some more room!

Famous Homeschooler Profiles

I would like to post a series of profiles featuring famous homeschoolers. I have been just amazed reading the life stories of some of these incredible people. First up, America's Famous Inventor...Thomas A. Edison. Some of the things about him that are amazing:

1. He couldn't talk until 4 years of age
2. His teacher thought his brain was "addled" (this day and age that would be pegged as ADD) during the three months he spent in formal school. His mother taught him for the rest of his schooling.
3. They had a home library and frequented the public library, and Thomas' father gave him $.10 for every book he read.
4. Thomas loved World History and English literature
5. He showed an early keen interest in science.
6. When he was 15, he saved the life of a stationmaster's 3 year old son. In appreciation, the man gave Thomas a job as a telegraph operator.
7. Thomas designed the first off-the-grid all electric home with electric appliances all powered by a wind turbine and a gas generator.

You can read more here:
Thomas Edison Bio