The Homeschool Mother's Journal - September & October Happenings

It has been a long time since I have posted A Homeschool Mother's Journal. Life has been busy, but in a good way. Another reason is that I have gotten really bad about taking pictures. My phone has about used up all of its storage and I'm too cheap to pay for extra storage so right now I am hindered in my photo taking since it usually my phone that is at hand rather than the camera. Now I have something to work on.

We completed our 9th week of school and it is going smoothly. Even after the first four weeks I felt there were going to a few things that we were going to have to drop and except for one book everything all of sudden just seemed to fall into place. Here is a run down of  what has been happening:

1. & 2.  Back in September we took an impromptu field trip to take a tour of a B-17 Flying Fortress. The girls and I walked through once, but the boys went through it at least three times. One thing we discovered is that it is not very big inside. 

3. Chantry working on his dictation for Spelling You See American Spirit. 

4. We canned 24 quarts of applesauce. I still have some more apples that I need to do.

5. I tried my hand at apple butter, since it is something my husband likes. I was lazy and froze it.

6. We have had a very mild fall (Thank you, Jesus!) and my pots of flowers are still very green and blooming. I took this picture last week of my Gerber daisy and it actually has more blooms than it did all summer long.

7. We have hit on a new tradition on Friday mornings--Cream of Wheat. Usually everyone has to fend for themselves for breakfast, but I made Cream of Wheat one morning early in the school year and now the kids expect it on Fridays.

8. You can't see Delani very well in this picture, but she is dying laughing. She was doing math with Caleb and they found something hilarious. I love that she gets to do this with her big brother--another great benefit of homeschooling.

9. My kids love to play games and lately it has been the game CHRONOLOGY(aff). Here Destini is beating the socks of all of us.

Curriculum Choices for 2015-2016

We have just finished our 4th week of school and I have yet to post what we are doing this year. For some reason having older kids equals being busier and finding time to blog falls way down on the bottom of the list. We have basically delved into all of our subjects except for our fine art subjects. Here is a list of what we are doing maybe not so much for anyone's benefit but my own. So let's start with the students.

 

 Delani is 7 years old and is officially in 1st grade. Oregon just changed their compulsory age for school to 6 this year, but it doesn't go into effect until next year so she is the last bunch of kids who can enter 1st grade at 7. My plans for Delani last year which included learning to read were derailed, so this year that remains our focus.

 Chantry is 13 and is in 7th grade. This year he is learning to have to be more independent, especially in reading. He has always been paired together with his older sister, Destini, and again they will do a lot of the same though they may have different requirements on narrations and writing.

 

Destini is 15 and in 9th grade. She is my second high-schooler. My goal is to keep better records (or at least stay on top of them) than I did with her older brother. I still need to sit down and make sure I have enough credits for her this year. (Yes, I should have started off with that, but honestly I only have so much time.) Right now the work load is feeling heavy enough.

Bible: 

Everyone:

• 1 chapter of the Bible along with the book Balancing the Sword 
• a devotional book
• Bible memory 

Delani:

• The Golden Children's Bible 

Chantry & Destini:

• Personal Bible reading 

Math: 

Delani:

• Math U See Alpha 

Chantry:

• Math U See Pre-Algebra 

Destini:

• Math U See Algebra I 

Language Arts: 

Reading has been a struggle for Delani. I have tried several programs with her and haven't had much success. On the flip side I also wasn't able to be very consistent with her last year so that is my big goal this year. So far so good (for being consistent--I'm not too sure about the reading).

Delani:

• IEW's Primary Arts of Language Reading 
• IEW's Primary Arts of Language Writing 

Last year my older kids did Rod & Staff Grammar and by the end of the year I was burned out on it. So this year our grammar looks a little different.

Chantry:

• IEW Fix-It Grammar: The Nose Tree 
• Spelling You See American Spirit 
• Oral & Written narrations

Destini:

• Easy Grammar Ultimate Grade 9 
• Dictation with Spelling Wisdom 
• Oral & Written narrations
• A writing program - to be determined

Literature: 

Delani:

• We are working our way through the My Book House series. We currently are on Book 7. We also add in a lot of picture books. 

Chantry & Destini:

• Poetry: AO suggested poets 
• Ivanhoe by Sir Walter Scott 
• English Literature for Boys and Girls by H.E. Marshall 
• The Age of Chivalry by Thomas Bulfinch 
• A Taste of Chaucer by Anne Malcolmson 
• Watership Down by Richard Adams 
• Plus a pile of AO Year 7 free reads 

Science: 

Delani:

• Once we have a handle on reading we will probably add in some of AmblesideOnline's suggestion from Year 1. 

Chantry:

• It Couldn't Just Happen by Lawrence O. Richards 

I know most everyone does Apologia for high school science, but it was not a favorite with my oldest and I just couldn't see Destini, who is very non-sciency, enjoying it. One thing I have learned from my first highschooler is--if the student hates it or just struggles with the curriculum then both student and parent will be miserable the entire time. So for high-school science we are approaching it with a "get it done" mentality.

Destini:

• Integrated Physics & Chemistry from Paradigm Accelerated Curriculum  
• The Wonder Book of Chemistry by Jean Henri Fabre 

History & Geography: 

Delani:

• We will be reading through the D'Aulaire biography books. 

For Chantry & Destini we are loosely following AmblesideOnline Year 7. The recommended book The Birth of Britain by Winston Churchill. I delved into this book over the summer and really felt it wouldn't be a good fit for my kids. Since we used Mystery of History Volume 1 last year I thought we would continue on and add other books. I'm not sure how complete my list is, but for now it will suffice.

Chantry & Destini:

• Mystery of History Volume II (with mapwork) 
• Truthquest History Middle Ages 
• In Freedom's Cause by G.A. Henty 
• Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey 
• Joan of Arc by Mark Twain -The Complete Book of Marvels by Richard Halliburton 

The Extras: 

 All:

• Artist Study 
• Composer Study 
• Hymns & Folksongs 

Chantry & Destini:

• How to Read a Book by Mortimer J. Adler 
• The Fallacy Detective by Hans & Nathaniel Bluedorn 
• Plutarch (one term) 

Destini:

• Foreign Language - Visual Latin 

Coop: 

Delani:

• Art, Presentation, and P.E. 

Chantry & Destini:

• Politics & Government, Shakespeare, and Art

West Coast ACTS Student Convention

 

 The last four years we have participated in the West Coast ACTS Student Convention. This is sponsored by our church organization for Christian schools and homeschoolers in the Northwest. The kids can participate in Persuasive/Dramatics, Music, Athletics, Academic, Art, Sewing/Homemaking, and Photography. This year the convention fell a whole month earlier and we were a little rushed for time. Destini entered 8 events and Chantry did 7. Out of 15 events they placed in 13 of them. They worked very hard and we are very proud of them.

Here is a look at what they did:

1. Their reward. 14 first place ribbons and 1 second place.

2. & 3. Destini made a baby quilt. The quilt she made last year was a little bigger, but due to time constraint we went a little smaller. She did some stitch-in-the-ditch around the bigger blocks and then used clear thread to quilt the middle. There are also two ruffles on the quilt which she used the serger and used a rolled hem on both edges before gathering it up and sewing it on the quilt (before quilting).

 

4. She also did another cross-stitch. The project was waaay bigger than what we thought and she was working on it up until the last minute. On this project she added beads to the lady's skirt and on some of the children's clothing.
5. Her scrapbook page. She didn't place, but I thought it turned out really cute.

Destini's entries:
Photography: Colored Still life - 1st place
Cross-stitch - 1st place
Quilt - 1st place
Home-Decor - 1st place
Science Project (with Chantry) - 1st place
Poetry writing - 2nd place
Photography: Wildlife - no placement
Scrapbook page - no placement

Chantry's entries:
Photography: Colored Character Trait - 1st place
Photography: Wildlife - 1st place
Science Project (with Destini) - 1st place
Chess - 1st place
Preaching - 1st place
Poetry recitation - 1st place
Basketball Jr. Team - 1st place

Here is Chantry's poetry recitation:

Homeschool Scheduling Made Easy with My School Logbook (TOS Review)

I discovered a few years into our homeschool journey the importance of giving my kids their own personal schedule to work from. I have been using a sheet that I created myself, but in the last few weeks Destini has been using the 2014-2015 School Year Butterfly My Student Logbook from My Student Logbook which we received for review.


My Student Logbook offers an automated approach to homeschool management. In other words, it runs itself! My Student Logbook is for 2nd grade and up and comes with 53 pages, a clear plastic cover on the front and a black plastic cover on the back. 9 different cover options are offered.

The My Student Logbook starts with a checklist that is used to create your list of assignments, reading, and/or chores. The checklist is removed from the book and then taped on to the current calendar page. Next to each box on the checklist is a box for the parent to record the time they estimate it will take the student to do that subject. When you have finished the calendar page for the week you turn the page and tuck it under the assignment flap and you now have a fresh page for the week. The same checklist can be used as long as you need. Six checklists pages are included so if your student's assignment lists change you just tape a new page onto the current calendar page. The checklist page may also be copied if needed. (A how-to video here.)

The calendar page comes with seven boxes--one for each day of the week and down the left hand side is a space to record notes (this is covered by the assignment sheet).  Destini's logbook was dated with each week beginning with Monday and ending with Sunday. The boxes can be used to record the assignment, check off the box, or record time.

At the back of the logbook there are numerous pages for record keeping. They include things like:

• "All About Me"
• Prayer and Goals 
• Bible Verses Memorized 
• Books Read Record of Events, Projects, Field Trips, Presentations, & Activities 
• Test Records 
• Year Highlights 

You can see that these additional pages would give you a great overview of your year and how great this would be for keeping records for high school students.

Also included in the book is what I would call a "crash course" on creating high school transcripts and how My Student Logbook can help the parent keep track of grades, hours, books read, other activities to create your high school courses. Check out the helpful videos that gives clear explanations on how My School Logbook can help with high school record keeping.

As I mentioned earlier, Destini (14) used the Dated Butterfly My Student Logbook. Since we received it a little before school started we added things like piano practice and chores. When we started school I listed all of her subjects on the Checklist page and then put the lessons or page numbers in each box. When she was finished she would put an "x" in the box. One thing I noticed that she also created her own key for her symbols she used (ex. x-finished, o-need Dad's help). There was a little room at the end to list a few chores and personal things she is wanting to make into habits.

She took to using this like a fish to water. I this this partly due what we have previously used, BUT the satisfying result of her using My Student Logbook is that she has taken the responsibility to plan out her own work the last few weeks! (Yes, I am doing a happy dance!!) Since I do prefer my high school student's yearly assignments to be recorded in one book this will fit the bill nicely for next year and will help to keep a record of hours, books, and activities for courses that will count for high school this year.

I will admit that I was fairly satisfied with my weekly schedule list I had created for my kids (it worked), but I am very impressed with My Student Logbook, so much so that my son will be getting his own. The biggest reason is that it is all in one book and I am not having to print or copy my sheet off every couple of weeks and then making sure I got them put in their binder when they were finished. It just made record keeping a whole lot easier! I also liked that there was plenty of room for school work, plus any extras that you wanted to include. This also would also be an excellent tool for habit training. Highly recommended!

My Student Logbook offers 3 different calendars:

• Northern Hemisphere School Year (August 1-July 31) 
• Calendar Year (January 1-December 31) 
• Undated 

The My Student Logbook offer 9 different covers for the physical books and are available at My Student Logbook for $15.00 with a $5.00 flat shipping rate. A PDF instant download is also available for the dated calendars and are $10.00-Single Use License/$20.00-Family Use License.

My Student Logbook on Social Media:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/MyStudentLogbook 
You Tube -- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMxzpy91vov8a8nDpyp2ihQ

Back to Homeschool 2014-2015: The Extra Goodies

Now I come to the place where I don't quite have everything planned out and a lot still rolling around in my mind. I want to focus on Circle Time, though it gets call Bible Time more often than not. So here is a look at the extras. 

Four times a week: 

• The Bible - I know many use a curriculum, but I have found it easier to just read a chapter or two from the Bible. This year the goal is to read from Genesis through Leviticus. Chantry and Destini will also have their own separate Bible reading every day and Delani and I will work our way through a Children's Bible. 
• Devotional - We will continue to work our way through Seeds of Jochebed (Planting Seeds of Biblical Truth into the Hearts of Your Children) by Kim Haney and How to be Your Own Selfish Pig: And Other Ways You've Been Brainwashed by Susan Schaeffer MacCauley interchangeably. 
• Memorization - Bible Memory. I am still working on what passages we will work on memorization. 
• Poetry - We will attempt to cover Ambleside Online's recommendations of Henry Wadworth Longfellow, John Greenleaf Whittier, Paul Laurence Dunbar, and Robert Frost. 

One time a week: 

• Citizenship - Plutarch's Lives. I haven't been very successful with this yet, but we will attempt it again. I also may have Destini start Ourselves by Charlotte Mason. 
• Logic - How to Read a Book by Mortimer Adler and Charles Van Doren. This book starts in Ambleside Online's Year 7, but I thought if I started it now we may get through it by the time Destini graduates. 
• Composer Study - We will listen to 2-3 composers through out the year. I haven't quite figured out which ones yet. 
• Artist Study - I have three picked out, though I'll be happy if we get to two. Term 1 - The Hudson River School: Cole, Church, Cropsey, Durand, Term 2 - Fra Angelico, Term 3 - Diego Velazquez. 
• Local co-op that we participate in one day a week. Chantry and Delani will have art, presentation, and P.E along with some party days and they do what is called Knights (class for the boys) and Daisies (class for the girls). Destini will be in the teen group and they will be doing a Reader's Theater, a study of personalities, and Dave Ramsey's Foundations in Personal Finance. 

So that is a sketch of what our year will look like. Of course, many things could change. My main goal is to find a fine balance and not overwhelm me or my kids. We will start with the basics along with Bible and then slowly add in the the rest of the extras.

See more:
Back to Homeschool 2014-2015: Math
Back to Homeschool 2014-2015: Language Arts
Back to Homeschool 2014-2015: History
Back to Homeschool 2014-2015: Science

Jennifer @ Chestnut Grove Academy 

Crystal @ Tidbits of Experience 

Rebecca @ Raventhreads 

Jennifer @ Milk & Honey 

Mommy Dawn @ Guiding Light 

Homeschool Monique @ Living Life and Learning 

Erin @ For Him and My Family 
Lisa @ A Rup Life 

Back to Homeschool 2014-2015: Science Curriculum

 

I previously mentioned that I used many of Charlotte Mason's methods in our homeschool and if you know anything about Charlotte Mason is that she advocated the use of nature study. Since I am the poster child for "how not to do nature study", we will just be focusing on using books for our science curriculum.

In the past I have used Apologia's elementary science, but last year we followed Ambleside Online's suggestions. This year AO did add some new options and since last year went well I decided that we will keep using living science books along with a science biography throughout the year and a few more biographies listed on free read list. Maybe one day I'll figure out how to be a nature study girl, but I'm not holding my breath on it.

 

Chantry will be doing:

• The Mystery of the Periodic Table by Benjamin Wiker 
• The Elements iPad app 
• Keeping a science journal  
• Archimedes and the Door of Science by Jeanne Bendick
• Albert Einstein and the Theory of Relativity by Robert Cwiklik

 

 Destini will be doing:

• It Couldn't Just Happen by Lawrence O. Richards 
• Keeping a science journal  
• Albert Einstein and the Theory of Relativity by Robert Cwiklik
• Archimedes and the Door of Science by Jeanne Bendick

Destini started this book last year and with our move it didn't get finished. I decided to have her go ahead and finish it up and after that we'll decide which direction to go. I may have her do The Mystery of the Periodic Table and The Element iPad app and just have her do it at a faster pace than her brother or I have another curriculum that I may use, but I need to do some research first.

I know many kids her age are doing tougher science programs like Apologia, but we didn't have a good experience with it when my oldest went through it so I'm really leery about using it. I am hoping by next year we come across a curriculum that works for her.

Head on over and visit these other Review Crew Blogs as they share different topics on homeschooling.

Jennifer @ Chestnut Grove Academy 

Crystal @ Tidbits of Experience 

Rebecca @ Raventhreads 

Jennifer @ Milk & Honey 

Mommy Dawn @ Guiding Light 

Homeschool Monique @ Living Life and Learning 

Erin @ For Him and My Family 
Lisa @ A Rup Life 

Back to Homeschool 2014-2015: History Curriculum (Back to Homeschool Blog Hop)

{Affiliate links enclosed.}

History--a favorite topic in our house. This year we are taking a little a different direction for Destini and Chantry, who have done history together since they have started school. In the past I have relied solely on Ambleside Online's history selections and this year we were due for Year 6 which covered one term of modern history and two terms of ancient history.

Years ago when I went through Year 6 with Caleb I felt there was a lot of ancient history (the Bible) that was missing. Yes, it is covered a little in AO, but I want my kids to see the big picture. I think it is very easy to just treat the Bible as its own history (which isn't bad), but I want them to see what else was going on in history at the same time Bible events were happening. So we will be using a different history book for our spine, Mystery of History Volume 1

 

I will probably be using Mystery of History as a spine only and not as it is written. Destini and Chantry will be doing written narrations and I am mulling over a time line or Book of Centuries. If I do a Book of Centuries I may have Destini start it now (this is one option I'm seriously considering) and wait until Chantry is older. Decisions, decisions! 

 

You may ask what I did with the modern history covered in Term 1, well, we have slowly been working our way Story of the World Volume 4 over the summer. I also left all of the suggested free read books that cover modern times on their list to read through, along with books that cover the ancients. My kids won't mind since many of the free reads are set during World War II and honestly, we could study that period all of the time, everyday.

 Genevieve Foster's Augustus Caesar's World  is a book that we will read during the year for history, since her books are favorites in our house. 

In an earlier post I mentioned that my focus with Delani will be reading, writing, and math. I don't have a specific history book for her, except a Bible story book. I'm sure in the course of the year she will be exposed to many history tales.

 

Geography will included finishing up A Child's Geography of the World by V.M. Hillyer. We started this last year and it didn't get finished due to moving. I have really enjoyed this book though it is outdated, but with Google at my fingertips it is easy to look these places up and find out the updated information. It is also a book that is easy to map.

After finishing A Child's Geography we will then head into Complete Book Of Marvels by Richard Halliburton. I'm not sure exactly how I will have them fill out a map for this yet, but I think we will do notebooking with composition books. My main map resources will come from Map Trek and WonderMaps.

Mystery of History Volume 1 also has a geography component with it, which I will use in some way. I don't want to overload us in this area and will start out tentatively until I strike the right balance.

Head on over and visit these other Review Crew Blogs as they share different topics on homeschooling.

Jennifer @ Chestnut Grove Academy 

Crystal @ Tidbits of Experience 

Rebecca @ Raventhreads 

Jennifer @ Milk & Honey 

Mommy Dawn @ Guiding Light 

Homeschool Monique @ Living Life and Learning 

Erin @ For Him and My Family 
Lisa @ A Rup Life 

Back to Homeschool 2014-2015: Language Arts Curriculum (Back to Homeschool Blog Hop)

{Affiliate links enclosed.}

 

 

This year I will begin to teach Delani to read. I am going to admit that teaching reading is not my favorite subject to teach. I used Phonics Pathway with Destini and Chantry and while they did learn to read I wanted more of a writing component to go with the reading portion. So after doing some research I have settled on Memoria Press First Start Reading. Since her oldest sister needed vision therapy, I will be watching her closely to see if see if she has any struggles in this area.

My other focus with Delani this year is to do a lot of read-alouds. I haven't quite sorted out exactly what I'm going to use, but I'll will be referencing Ambleside Online's Year 0 list and I am also seriously considering investing in My Book House Set. (My local library carried these books and I went to check one out to start reading to her. To my horror I discovered that the library got rid of them so they could add in piles of twaddly early readers. Ugh!!)

We use a lot of Charlotte Mason's methods in our homeschool, but I found when it came to grammar and writing I needed (not the kids) a more rigid method. So this year we are adding Rod and Staff grammar and composition to the mix. I think this will really help me keep them on the straight and narrow, though I do want to find the right balance and tweak it where necessary to make it work for us.

Chantry will be doing:

• Grammar & Writing - Rod & Staff English 5. I think it will be a good fit for him. He will also start writing one written narration a week and for my writing phobic son this will be plenty.
• Spelling You See - I reviewed this earlier this year and Chantry preferred it over what he was using. We will finish the Americana book and decide from there where to go.
• Handwriting - He will be fine-tuning his cursive handwriting. I bought a couple of Christian Light Education Pentime Cursive books for him to work through and then we'll transfer over to copywork where he takes a typed out portion and writes it in cursive. 
• Literature - This will include Bulfinch's Mythology - The Age of Fable and Ben-Hur by Lew Wallace. He will also join our Shakespeare readings on Sunday evenings. Normally we have two to three literature books, but I know that our third term of school tends to be busy with other things, so I am just going with Ben-Hur. I am hoping the extra time can be given to other read-alouds such as finishing up Swallows & Amazons Collection and a few others I have been wanting to read to him.
• Free Reads - Ambleside Online Year 6 free reads. These are books based off of Ambleside Online that he will read or listen to throughout the year. He won't make it through them all, but the list gives him plenty of options.

 

Destini will be doing:

• Grammar & Writing - Rod & Staff English Grade 6.  Destini hasn't done a lot of grammar so I am starting a little lower for her. If I see it is too easy then she can jump up to Grade 7. She has done Rod & Staff's spelling for the last few years and really has thrived with it, so I am hoping the grammar and writing will be a good fit. She will also be doing written narrations for history and science.
• Spelling - Rod & Staff Grade 7. I can't begin to say how much I really like this spelling curriculum. The best thing is that it works. She is applying what she has learned to her writing.
• Typing - This year the focus will be on picking up speed.
• Literature - Same as Chantry's. We do this all together.
• Free Reads - Ambleside Online Year 6 free reads. I usually put the more challenging books on her list since she is older.

Head on over and visit these other Review Crew Blogs as they share different topics on homeschooling.

Jennifer @ Chestnut Grove Academy 

Crystal @ Tidbits of Experience 

Rebecca @ Raventhreads 

Jennifer @ Milk & Honey 

Mommy Dawn @ Guiding Light 

Homeschool Monique @ Living Life and Learning 

Erin @ For Him and My Family
Lisa @ A Rup Life 

Back to Homeschool 2014-2015 - Math Curriculum (Back to Homeschool Blog Hop)

{Affiliate links enclosed.}

 

For our 2014-1015 school year I will still have three students, though I am swapping Caleb, who just graduated, for Delani, who will "officially" be on the schedule. (I attempted to do things with her last year, but finally gave it up. My hat is off to the moms who can homeschool more than 3 at once!)

A little background on my students:

• Delani is 6 and I am considering her Kindergarten. In our state you do not have to register for  school until you are 7 and then it can be 1st grade. So this year our focus will be on math, learning to read, and reading aloud a lot of good literature.
• Chantry is 12 and is in 6th grade. 
• Destini is 14 and could technically be in 9th grade but due to the above state law is registered as an 8th grader. She is happy as an 8th grader, though she will be starting to work on some subjects for high school credit. 

Our math of choice is Math-U-See. Caleb worked through it from Alpha to Algebra II and he also did Stewardship. My other kids have done very well in it and this is one area that I feel very contented in and don't feel a need to change.

Delani will be using the Primer book. This is the first time I have used this book. She already has a few lessons finished, so we are going to pick up where we left off. If I see that she has a good grasp on these concepts I will probably just have her jump into Alpha, which is already sitting on the shelf.

 

(LOL! He is in agony because the book is purple.)

Chantry will heading into Zeta. Math is his strength and I don't see him having any problem completing this book this year. Zeta (decimals) is much easier than Epsilon (fractions). He will also continue to do Math-U-See's online drill page. I love, love, love the drill page--no more flashcards!! Chantry drills all the math functions at one time and is required to do three sets of drills. I also may resurrect Xtramath's drills which we did a few years ago, thought I won't use both drill features at once.

 

 Destini started Pre-Algebra in the middle of last school year. She made it about 1/3 of the way through the book. This year she will pick it back up and continue through the book. My main goal is for her to finish this book and start Algebra 1, but we will take it one day at a time. Mastery of the concepts she is learning is the most important thing. I let her out of math drills last year, but I think I may have her work her way through Xtramath's drills. I'm sure I'll get some flack, but I don't think you can go wrong with keeping math facts fresh.

So that is what math will look like around here. We don't do a lot of supplementing unless we see the need. If I added anything to this it would be the Math-U-See Manipulative App for the iPad.

Head on over and visit these other Review Crew Blogs as they share different topics on homeschooling.

Jennifer @ Chestnut Grove Academy 

Crystal @ Tidbits of Experience 

Rebecca @ Raventhreads 

Jennifer @ Milk & Honey 

Mommy Dawn @ Guiding Light 

Homeschool Monique @ Living Life and Learning 

Erin @ For Him and My Family 
Lisa @ A Rup Life 

2014-2015 Curriculum Choices

Here is a collection of posts that I originally did for the Schoolhouse Review Crew Back to School Blog Hop featuring our curriculum choices for the 2014-2015 school year. Enjoy!

• Math
• Language Arts
• History
• Science
• The Extra Goodies 

My 5 Favorite Homeschool Blogs

 

I have to admit that reading blogs can be very addicting and something that I have to keep in check. On the other hand they are also very helpful to have for reference and encouragement during the school year. Today I'm going to share my 5 favorite homeschool blogs that I go to for inspiration or for reference. (You may notice most of these blogs have a Charlotte Mason bent to them.)

1. Ordo-Amoris - I have been reading Cindy's blog for quite a few years. She isn't blogging very much right now, but there is plenty in the archives to inspire. Favorite blog posts: 31 One Days to Morning Time

 

2. Afterthoughts - Another blog I have followed for awhile. Brandy uses Ambleside Online curriculum, which we also use. She also has a lot of insight on Charlotte Mason. I am really enjoying her Learning How to Live series right now.

3. Amongst the Lovely Things - I kept coming across Sarah's blog time and time again and finally started following it faithfully earlier this year. She has some very encouraging posts about Teaching from Rest, which is now a book and one I recommend getting. Another favorite: The Read-Aloud Revival Podcast--If you love to read-aloud to your kids or have a desire to get started you don't want to miss this inspiring podcast.



 

4. Schole Sisters - "...a community of homeschooling moms who believe that teaching is the art of being imitated, who long to teach from rest, and who draw on wisdom from the classical tradition..." This blog just started and so far I have enjoyed everything I've read.

 
 

5. Living Books Library - I love to read Living books to my kids and Elizabeth has such great lists on her blog. Posts are few a far between, but I do reference it quite a bit.

 

On Wednesday head over to the Schoolhouse Review Crew to see other crew member's Favorite Homeschool Blogs.