I have been selected to be a member of the TOS Homeschool Crew for this coming academic year. In this position I will be using and then posting reviews here for various homeschooling resources. This is a non compensated position but we (my children and I) will get the opportunity to try a number of various resources which are new to us.
There are a number of great homeschooling parents that make up the crew and who will be reviewing the same products, so it will be an opportunity to read multiple opinions on resources.
I am so excited about this opportunity and look forward to reviewing materials from great companies. Check back here to learn what items I have had the opportunity to review.
Friday, June 25, 2010
Curriculum Choices for 4th/ 5th Grade
I have seen something like this on other blogs so I thought I would share my plans for my oldest also. The list is not complete, I am still looking at and trying to make some decisions for some subjects.
Theology
100 Bible Stories
Catechism
Memory Work
Concordia Publishing House
Language Arts
Language Mechanic
Editor in Chief
Both from The Critical Thinking Company
Building Spelling Skills
Evan Moor
Literature will be a book list I have put together from several sources
Writing with Ease
Peace Hill Press
Social Studies
American History
Various Resources, mainly library books
Daily Geography
Europe
Both from Evan Moor
Foreign Language
Prima Latina (finish)
Latina Christiana
Memoria Press
Math
To Be Determined
Science
Discovery Works
Concordia Publishing House
We also use a lot of library books for all of the subjects, both to introduce and reinforce ideas and concepts presented in the main texts. We also make lapbooks. They are used mainly to review the concepts, rather than paper and pencil tests. We have also done several to study topics of interest that may not necessarily fit into a subject category. We have also used them to keep in a learning mode, but relax from our regular routine.
I also would like to do some notebooking, but neither of my children really care to write, so we will see how that goes.
My Daughter takes Piano lessons, so we count that as music. We have also listened to the Classical Kids series of CDs. This year I hope to do a little more study of music: instruments as well as composers. I would like to so some Art Appreciation. I think we may start this by doing a lapbook. We will probably also do hands on art projects
Wow! I am getting tired just looking at that list. (Big Smiley)
I will post choices for my 1st grader in a separate post.
Theology
100 Bible Stories
Catechism
Memory Work
Concordia Publishing House
Language Arts
Language Mechanic
Editor in Chief
Both from The Critical Thinking Company
Building Spelling Skills
Evan Moor
Literature will be a book list I have put together from several sources
Writing with Ease
Peace Hill Press
Social Studies
American History
Various Resources, mainly library books
Daily Geography
Europe
Both from Evan Moor
Foreign Language
Prima Latina (finish)
Latina Christiana
Memoria Press
Math
To Be Determined
Science
Discovery Works
Concordia Publishing House
We also use a lot of library books for all of the subjects, both to introduce and reinforce ideas and concepts presented in the main texts. We also make lapbooks. They are used mainly to review the concepts, rather than paper and pencil tests. We have also done several to study topics of interest that may not necessarily fit into a subject category. We have also used them to keep in a learning mode, but relax from our regular routine.
I also would like to do some notebooking, but neither of my children really care to write, so we will see how that goes.
My Daughter takes Piano lessons, so we count that as music. We have also listened to the Classical Kids series of CDs. This year I hope to do a little more study of music: instruments as well as composers. I would like to so some Art Appreciation. I think we may start this by doing a lapbook. We will probably also do hands on art projects
Wow! I am getting tired just looking at that list. (Big Smiley)
I will post choices for my 1st grader in a separate post.
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
What I am Reading
I just finished reading Highest Duty: My Search for what Really Matters by Chesley Sullenberger. He is the pilot who made an Emergency landing in the Hudson River between New York City and New Jersey after losing both engines to encounters with birds. I was really looking forward to reading this as just a few months before his landing we were right there when on vacation. My DH and I walked across the George Washington bridge which is just North of the site of the water landing as well as went through the tunnel to the south. I was able to visualize the location he was talking about and that just seemed to make the event all the more incredible to me.
The book not only tells about the few brief minutes of this flight, but he recalls and tells about his childhood and adult life in vivid detail so that the reader can see how his experiences and training all contribute to what he was able to accomplish in those few short minutes. There are some scenes that brought me to tears as he tells about some of his closest friends and their experiences. Yet, the writing does not drag on and for me was a book that I had a hard time putting down.
In reflecting on the book I am amazed by his humility and matter of factness about the whole event. He repeatedly says he was just doing what he was trained to do and emphasizes his responsibility to his passengers. I feel he would be uncomfortable with the label of hero, but to his passengers he truly was. I also would point to him as a hero. He did all he was capable of doing to promote the welfare and safety of others on his flight and brought the flight to an end without losing any life. (Except for the birds.)
The book not only tells about the few brief minutes of this flight, but he recalls and tells about his childhood and adult life in vivid detail so that the reader can see how his experiences and training all contribute to what he was able to accomplish in those few short minutes. There are some scenes that brought me to tears as he tells about some of his closest friends and their experiences. Yet, the writing does not drag on and for me was a book that I had a hard time putting down.
In reflecting on the book I am amazed by his humility and matter of factness about the whole event. He repeatedly says he was just doing what he was trained to do and emphasizes his responsibility to his passengers. I feel he would be uncomfortable with the label of hero, but to his passengers he truly was. I also would point to him as a hero. He did all he was capable of doing to promote the welfare and safety of others on his flight and brought the flight to an end without losing any life. (Except for the birds.)
Monday, June 14, 2010
Hello
Hello and Welcome to my blog! It is my intention to write here about homeschooling. This may include fun things that we have done, new curriculum, and new discoveries. This list is not exclusive, just thoughts as I begin this new adventure or is that an e-venture! Check back shortly as I begin to write more about the Joy of School.
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