This is a blog post that I wrote for TJEd Trenches. I am a regular contributor and I've enjoyed writing for them for the past year and a half or so. The following is my most recent article.
Over six years ago, when I was first introduced to Thomas Jefferson Education I knew instantly that that was the truth I had been seeking! Applying it through the years as been a journey though.
For a long time I had deluded myself into thinking that as long as I read classics to my children (and still carried on conveyor belt education) I was "doing it." Fast forward a couple of years and I begin applying the Keys of Great Teaching. What a marvelous tool! Looking back in hindsight I discovered however that I had them mixed up a little. I realized that I was doing the following: Inspire and Require, Structure Time and Content, You and Them, etc! I had inadvertently inserted ANDS in the place of all the NOTS.
I can safely say that I was missing the point. What do you think? The last six months has finally brought that break through of awareness. I have learned to drop the ands and insert the nots. Wow! I can only say amazing things have since happened.
First all share the blessings and then I will share some how to's. I have a son who's behavior was frustrating and I was almost hopeless with. Within a month of changing my behavior and our environmental he was "reborn." He hasn't looked back since. This was a miracle for our family. We've seen increased obedience, less contention, greater happiness, vast intake of knowledge by our children, an atmosphere of peace and an increased amount of personal responsibility and self-management! It's been a wonderful time for our family and we will not go back.
Since the key "Inspire Not Require" seems to generate some of the greatest interest on this blog I was share what this looks like in our home now.
I have always been effective in the inspiring department. I read 2-3 classics a week, take piano lessons, eat healthy, write essays, do math problems and absolutely live by my golden rule that is never violated, "We will never require our children to do anything that we are not willing to do ourselves." However dropping the 'not' proved difficult for me; at least I had one out of two right? Hmmm.
Children are required to obey and they are required to work. But just what are we requiring them to do? Each of you must choose what you will require and what you will not. Within the field of education research shows that children out perform when we don't make them do school work, let them choose. This is tough. This is painful. This goes against everything you every learned in public school. This goes against everything society has ever taught you. It's gonna hurt.
Well, I can say after six months the brain pains are gone and we're running with this. The first step is to tell the kids, "You are no longer required to do this. " (shock, gasp, recoil) The second step: Get rid of 90% of your school junk and their toys and leave only the 'best' books, toys, and supplies. The third step: Get rid of all the distractions. This means they may do what they want, but they are not allowed to watch TV/movies, play the Wii, play with friends, play entertaining games with each other, etc. during certain hours. These hours will vary from family to family, our personal window of these popular distractions is opened for a very limited time during the week. The beauty is that they will chose to learn. Maybe not right away, but they will. I've seen in over and over every day in my house.
Today my children (this was my 3 core/lol boys) choose to learn about reducing fractions, general fractions, make bread, read about World War 2, read their scriptures, practice the piano, make a bow and arrow, go on a walk in the rain, read in chapter books, write a story, draw pictures in their sketch books, asked me how to spell multiple words, find out why Denmark owns Greenland, listened to me when I read Silas Marner by George Elliot for an hour, and many more things. They choose, I provided the atmosphere. They are happy. They think life is fun and they think learning is fun.
I can hear you say, "You're crazy!" This exercise in applying the 7 Keys of Great Teaching is really an exercise of faith (but you make this based on your own serious research and the truth that you've discovered). Perhaps in another post I will delve into our "new day." It's shocking, it's revolutionary and it's the best thing we have ever done.
Has anyone else stumbled along in the Keys of Great Teaching like I have? I hope this post as inspired you on your journey through Leadership Education.
Showing posts with label Inspire Not Require. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Inspire Not Require. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Saturday, April 3, 2010
The Headgate
I recently read a marvelous ebook which I mentioned in a previous post. The book is called The Headgate and it is by Brian and Keri Tibbets. This is all about applying Leadership Education. A lot of things were not new for me and we've been applying, but some I knew but didn't know how to apply and yet others were totally new, but they give me warm fuzzies and I just know it's the good stuff. (Anything that says crafting is only creating "little junks that only a mother could love" is going to be a bestseller here in my house).
Here are some some highlights from it that I wanted to share.
"The longer we home school our children we have noticed our home school becoming more a like a home than a school. In fact is has come to the point that there is now no school left in it at all. It is just a home. There is no part in our daily schedule that resembles school and there is no place in our home where school supplies are to be found. "
In order to create such a home and rear children in a classical education an environment needs to be created where children can grow and where they can become who there were born to be. Children in core phase work on mastering values and in their free time they play. Love of learners work on mastering the 3 R's and choose to spend part or all of their free time learning. The scholar with master subjects and spend all their time studying. (This is true! Our children follow this like it's scripted. It is so natural).
Now on to creating that environment. I hope in all that free time I have (harhar) to write more in depth essays on some of the ones that have been profound for us.
1. Create a House of Order
Order in the relationships. Dad provides for the family. Mom nurtures the children. Our society and communities have this so messed up.
Order in the appearance. How orderly are our houses? Are they filled with clutter?
Order in the schedule. Children feel secure knowing what the day will bring and their basic needs will be met. When families are focused on survival they are not productive and there is great depression among mom and children. I have seen this in so many homes! I am a huge advocate of structure and schedule!
2. Require Work
Did I type that right? Hmm. I better check that again. Yep, it does say that. I personally find it's easier to do it myself then to hear the "I'm a slave." Where did they get that anyway? Grrr.
Children do need to learn to work to develop self-discipline. Self-discipline will not only help them through the hard times in life but it will help them through the hard times of study. Once you have identified the job the system is: Do it with the child. Then do it near the child and finally have them do it independently. Don't forget to have them return and report.
So we've been working around here like they say. We've changed things up a bit again. I do everything with them now and make sure they know how to do it. There has been no complaining and whining (since I'm doing it with them). In fact Caleb said when he went to bed last night, "I liked cleaning with you mom it was a lot of fun." We cleaned for 2 1/2 hours straight. I could go on and on. Stopping though. Need to move on. Maybe in another post.
3. Inspire Daily.
My favorite. For me the easiest. Also the most covered and talked about in Leadership Education. I've always had really good and best books around. And I've always been very selective about what I read to them. I did realize that I am not always reading them the very best things those. So we've changed that up a bit. In the morning I am now reading them a very hard, worthwhile classic. (Silas Marner by George Elliot). In the evening I read them something fun they will enjoy, but it is still very worth while. (Right now it's Wrinkle in Time #4). Again, there's a lot more to cover in this step. Later.
4. Understand Lessons and Daily Application
This step covers how to give them lessons. Also we need to make sure that we are teaching them skills that they can master in every day life so they can practice, practice, and practice. This is especially true for math. There's pages and pages of this step. So good. You really should just get the book.
5. Close the Headgate
Headgates, for those of you not in a farming community-and I am so I over course new all of this. (Yeah right). The farmer has water for his land. He channels where he wants to send the water by opening headgates that will allow the river to go to a specific field. So the question is what headgates do we have open? We need to make sure that our children are heading down the right headgates and ditches and not the wrong ones.
Yeah, I'm loving this. I've always kind of been a little obsessive about this step. I think it's so important. What I really loved about this was that she provides so many more ideas than merely saying, "no tv, no computer games, no Play Station," ya think? We all can agree that children will usually choose the activities that offer the most stimulation for the least amount of effort. (The wrong headgate).
Beyond merely limiting the obvious we need to look at all their toys and activities. Are our children's toys lifeless and thus allowing them to create? Or are the toys the push the button kind and they reenact the movie with the toys? Thus the toymaker and movie maker are the creators and the child didn't have to come up with anything. Very, very interesting. Hint: If it has batteries, it falls under this category. Sorry folks. This is where that cardboard box at Christmas is more fun than the toy you bought. I laugh though because my 9 year old's favorite toys are sticks. Yep, he always has sticks. He can find sticks ANYWHERE too. Nobody know how he does it, but they are all over the outside of our house. (and sometimes inside hidden underneath the couch or the bed)
Bye, bye organized sets. What? Are you kidding me? They aren't creating they are just following directions. Lincoln Logs, puzzles, bead kits, even pre-packaged science kits. (She mentions Lego's, but I'm going to pretend I didn't see that. I'm going to cover my eyes on that part. I promise that I will ponder it more though. Alex and I have talked about it. It makes sense, but it hurts. I have vowed to get rid of all the instruction booklets. That will earn a couple of points right? We have very few toys now, but we still have our 4 four-drawer Lego bins. We're a bit fanatical. Really though, I promise to consider).
She suggests only 12-15 toys total in the entire house. The only reason that there's a pull against it is emotional money attachment. Get over it. I had already gotten rid of of tubs and tubs. They picked all the toys to go, and they haven't missed them. It ended up amounting to 80% of the toys. Time to get rid of the other 15% I think. Like I said Luke just wants sticks. Olivia wants books, fabric and yarn. Jared doesn't know what he wants, he's like me. Caleb wants games. (The two of us played 19 straight games of Connect Four yesterday, I kid you not).
With their activities we need to get rid of the useless activities. Caleb liked to cut paper to just cut paper. Not only is it useless it is wasting time. If they can pursue useless, brain numbing activities they will never choose to pursue the best. (Remember many us have heard and reheard the concepts of good, better and best. Are we listening?)
When children pursue real and useful things their hands and minds are disciplined and they grow and learn. Things have a point. What is the end result of the activity? Was it simply to waste time? We have to many things to be accomplishing to be wasting time.
I'm going on and on. There is so much more to this step and I could write 10 blog posts about it. I probably will. They just will be disguised.
So many thoughts. The point. What is our environments like? What headgates are open that are the best and what headgates are open that are not good?
Here are some some highlights from it that I wanted to share.
"The longer we home school our children we have noticed our home school becoming more a like a home than a school. In fact is has come to the point that there is now no school left in it at all. It is just a home. There is no part in our daily schedule that resembles school and there is no place in our home where school supplies are to be found. "
In order to create such a home and rear children in a classical education an environment needs to be created where children can grow and where they can become who there were born to be. Children in core phase work on mastering values and in their free time they play. Love of learners work on mastering the 3 R's and choose to spend part or all of their free time learning. The scholar with master subjects and spend all their time studying. (This is true! Our children follow this like it's scripted. It is so natural).
Now on to creating that environment. I hope in all that free time I have (harhar) to write more in depth essays on some of the ones that have been profound for us.
1. Create a House of Order
Order in the relationships. Dad provides for the family. Mom nurtures the children. Our society and communities have this so messed up.
Order in the appearance. How orderly are our houses? Are they filled with clutter?
Order in the schedule. Children feel secure knowing what the day will bring and their basic needs will be met. When families are focused on survival they are not productive and there is great depression among mom and children. I have seen this in so many homes! I am a huge advocate of structure and schedule!
2. Require Work
Did I type that right? Hmm. I better check that again. Yep, it does say that. I personally find it's easier to do it myself then to hear the "I'm a slave." Where did they get that anyway? Grrr.
Children do need to learn to work to develop self-discipline. Self-discipline will not only help them through the hard times in life but it will help them through the hard times of study. Once you have identified the job the system is: Do it with the child. Then do it near the child and finally have them do it independently. Don't forget to have them return and report.
So we've been working around here like they say. We've changed things up a bit again. I do everything with them now and make sure they know how to do it. There has been no complaining and whining (since I'm doing it with them). In fact Caleb said when he went to bed last night, "I liked cleaning with you mom it was a lot of fun." We cleaned for 2 1/2 hours straight. I could go on and on. Stopping though. Need to move on. Maybe in another post.
3. Inspire Daily.
My favorite. For me the easiest. Also the most covered and talked about in Leadership Education. I've always had really good and best books around. And I've always been very selective about what I read to them. I did realize that I am not always reading them the very best things those. So we've changed that up a bit. In the morning I am now reading them a very hard, worthwhile classic. (Silas Marner by George Elliot). In the evening I read them something fun they will enjoy, but it is still very worth while. (Right now it's Wrinkle in Time #4). Again, there's a lot more to cover in this step. Later.
4. Understand Lessons and Daily Application
This step covers how to give them lessons. Also we need to make sure that we are teaching them skills that they can master in every day life so they can practice, practice, and practice. This is especially true for math. There's pages and pages of this step. So good. You really should just get the book.
5. Close the Headgate
Headgates, for those of you not in a farming community-and I am so I over course new all of this. (Yeah right). The farmer has water for his land. He channels where he wants to send the water by opening headgates that will allow the river to go to a specific field. So the question is what headgates do we have open? We need to make sure that our children are heading down the right headgates and ditches and not the wrong ones.
Yeah, I'm loving this. I've always kind of been a little obsessive about this step. I think it's so important. What I really loved about this was that she provides so many more ideas than merely saying, "no tv, no computer games, no Play Station," ya think? We all can agree that children will usually choose the activities that offer the most stimulation for the least amount of effort. (The wrong headgate).
Beyond merely limiting the obvious we need to look at all their toys and activities. Are our children's toys lifeless and thus allowing them to create? Or are the toys the push the button kind and they reenact the movie with the toys? Thus the toymaker and movie maker are the creators and the child didn't have to come up with anything. Very, very interesting. Hint: If it has batteries, it falls under this category. Sorry folks. This is where that cardboard box at Christmas is more fun than the toy you bought. I laugh though because my 9 year old's favorite toys are sticks. Yep, he always has sticks. He can find sticks ANYWHERE too. Nobody know how he does it, but they are all over the outside of our house. (and sometimes inside hidden underneath the couch or the bed)
Bye, bye organized sets. What? Are you kidding me? They aren't creating they are just following directions. Lincoln Logs, puzzles, bead kits, even pre-packaged science kits. (She mentions Lego's, but I'm going to pretend I didn't see that. I'm going to cover my eyes on that part. I promise that I will ponder it more though. Alex and I have talked about it. It makes sense, but it hurts. I have vowed to get rid of all the instruction booklets. That will earn a couple of points right? We have very few toys now, but we still have our 4 four-drawer Lego bins. We're a bit fanatical. Really though, I promise to consider).
She suggests only 12-15 toys total in the entire house. The only reason that there's a pull against it is emotional money attachment. Get over it. I had already gotten rid of of tubs and tubs. They picked all the toys to go, and they haven't missed them. It ended up amounting to 80% of the toys. Time to get rid of the other 15% I think. Like I said Luke just wants sticks. Olivia wants books, fabric and yarn. Jared doesn't know what he wants, he's like me. Caleb wants games. (The two of us played 19 straight games of Connect Four yesterday, I kid you not).
With their activities we need to get rid of the useless activities. Caleb liked to cut paper to just cut paper. Not only is it useless it is wasting time. If they can pursue useless, brain numbing activities they will never choose to pursue the best. (Remember many us have heard and reheard the concepts of good, better and best. Are we listening?)
When children pursue real and useful things their hands and minds are disciplined and they grow and learn. Things have a point. What is the end result of the activity? Was it simply to waste time? We have to many things to be accomplishing to be wasting time.
I'm going on and on. There is so much more to this step and I could write 10 blog posts about it. I probably will. They just will be disguised.
So many thoughts. The point. What is our environments like? What headgates are open that are the best and what headgates are open that are not good?
Monday, March 8, 2010
Our Days Now
So I thought I'd break down what our days look like now that we have been off the conveyor belt for two and half months. Who-rah!
Our "day" actually starts on Sunday night when we have a family meeting. We each review the goals we made last week and we each set a couple of goals for the coming week. All goals are completely up to the family member. No pressure or expectation to do anything. If they may be struggling with a goal we help them set a simpler goal if it was something important to them.
Week day: Alex and I drag ourselves out of bed at 7 AM. Yes, I know that's late, but we are working on it. But we are always up by then. We both read our scriptures, journal, read some conference talks (aka devotionals) and ponder until about 8 or 8:15.
Olivia get up at 7 also and her stewardship is breakfast. She's only been doing it for two months. She'll get another one in a couple of months. We've always had hot breakfast at our house. So she makes hot breakfast. She can make ANYTHING. She is totally cooking self-sufficient. Today she made homemade buttermilk pancakes with a special homemade butter syrup. Yummy!
In the mean time Jared's up and in the shower. He's read his scriptures and practiced his piano by 8:30.
Luke drags him self up by 8. He gets ready for the day and reads his scriptures. Sometimes he practices the piano and sometimes he doesn't do that until the afternoon.
Caleb wakes up at a different time everyday. He usually shows up to breakfast in shorts. He's in core phase. And being around him for 5 minutes you know it! He's obliviously happy with his life.
At 8:30 everyone has to report to breakfast deslobbed for the day and ready to go. After breakfast (during too) we have scripture study and usually a very lengthy discussion about something we read. Then we practice our scripture memorization for the week. We review our goals for the week. After family prayers Alex leaves for the day.
The boys finish their chores and brush their teeth. Then I usually spend a couple of hours with the boys reading books, playing games, or whatever they want. I usually try to spend some time with each one individually learning whatever they want. Usually the older boys will sit in front of our "love of learning" bookshelf and pull off random books and read about anything they want. (We call this "structure time, not content." Regulary one of the boys makes a goal to "do 30 minutes-or however long-of structure time, not content"). They'll spread all over the room and have books everywhere and hop from book to book. They usually can't wait to tell me what they learned. Sometimes we'll put an event or a person on our huge time line that takes up our entire library room. I've changed our family reading to the library room instead of the living room. This has been good because there are lots of things to do and we can really quickly look up something on the computer if we don't understand what we read or we want to see more pictures or whatever. Today we looked up to see when the Hebrew month Nisan was. Very cool you know.
In the meantime Olivia disappears for the day and reads and reads and reads and then writes essays in between. She only shows up at meal time or to walk to our land and check the horses.
Luke is in charge of lunch and so he prepares it for everyone. I still have to help him with it depending on what it is.
After lunch on two days we have to rush off to a scholar school/play date and piano lessons. We are gone for several hours on those days. When we come back from them the kids usually play outside until dinner. (I'm in charge of dinner, but Olivia usually shows up and cooks half of it because she just loves to cook). During lunch we have a big ole' discussion out of the Gospel Principles book about some theology topic. The kids enjoy our discussions and they don't let me forget to do this!
On the other days the kids just keep reading. Jared spends time with Caleb. Jared's stewardship is to mentor Caleb and so he'll usually do it then. We'll play more games or read more books. It just depends on their mood. There is more individual time in the afternoon then in the morning. Who ever didn't practice the piano by breakfast usually does it in the afternoon. Luke sometimes needs reminded to practice, but he does it willingly. They all practice and take piano willingly. I take lessons and practice right along side of them so I think playing the piano is like reading your scriptures-you just do it and don't think about whether you want to do it or not. Family culture?
There is no "school's out time." There is no magical, "Oh, now we get to watch a movie." We just keep on reading and keep on playing. The kids can play 30 min of the Wii in the afternoon-sometimes. They have to stand up and they have to cardio things like boxing.
During dinner we pull out a discussion question and have a big discussion about current events, theology or past history situations. This time is when Alex really gets to talk with the kids about what they think. After dinner if Alex is home we play ping pong while the kids do the dishes. If Alex was home for dinner he usually has to leave for somewhere else so he doesn't stay long. After dinner they play. Sometimes they read (okay a lot of the time). Sometimes we play more games. Sometimes I read more to them. Sometimes we go somewhere.
Caleb pretty much plays hard all day long. He can sort of last through parts of our family reading time. He does like reading to me and so he always sits down to do that. If Caleb has a whole day of playing games and/or playing dress up (dress up as a knight, or Native American or a Roman) he considers the day a success. Today he was in the bath tub for almost 2 hours. He also played play dough for an hour. He's just silly and happy.
We usually put the kids to bed around 9:30. Olivia stays up late reading. She doesn't have a bedtime because she's a scholar. (You wouldn't think an 11 year could study for 8+ hours a day, but she does. And she reads hard things). Luke lies in bed for 1 1/2 hours before he falls asleep. The kids all listen to books on tape or music as the go to sleep. Alex and I usually don't get to sleep until 11.
We stay busy enough with outside things though. It seems like we are gone somewhere for the afternoon or the evening. The kids have piano lessons, 4-H, Cub scouts, scholar school/social play date, and I have things regularly too.
Anyway. There you go. My kids always tell me, "I love my love mom! Thanks for home schooling me." When we drive by the school they say, "I'm so glad I'm home mom. " They've also told me many times that they feel sorry for those kids that have to go to school. "Maybe some day their mommies will let them come home."
Oh, today their piano teacher said, "You kids are always reading such big books!"
We love learning at home and we're happy. : )
Our "day" actually starts on Sunday night when we have a family meeting. We each review the goals we made last week and we each set a couple of goals for the coming week. All goals are completely up to the family member. No pressure or expectation to do anything. If they may be struggling with a goal we help them set a simpler goal if it was something important to them.
Week day: Alex and I drag ourselves out of bed at 7 AM. Yes, I know that's late, but we are working on it. But we are always up by then. We both read our scriptures, journal, read some conference talks (aka devotionals) and ponder until about 8 or 8:15.
Olivia get up at 7 also and her stewardship is breakfast. She's only been doing it for two months. She'll get another one in a couple of months. We've always had hot breakfast at our house. So she makes hot breakfast. She can make ANYTHING. She is totally cooking self-sufficient. Today she made homemade buttermilk pancakes with a special homemade butter syrup. Yummy!
In the mean time Jared's up and in the shower. He's read his scriptures and practiced his piano by 8:30.
Luke drags him self up by 8. He gets ready for the day and reads his scriptures. Sometimes he practices the piano and sometimes he doesn't do that until the afternoon.
Caleb wakes up at a different time everyday. He usually shows up to breakfast in shorts. He's in core phase. And being around him for 5 minutes you know it! He's obliviously happy with his life.
At 8:30 everyone has to report to breakfast deslobbed for the day and ready to go. After breakfast (during too) we have scripture study and usually a very lengthy discussion about something we read. Then we practice our scripture memorization for the week. We review our goals for the week. After family prayers Alex leaves for the day.
The boys finish their chores and brush their teeth. Then I usually spend a couple of hours with the boys reading books, playing games, or whatever they want. I usually try to spend some time with each one individually learning whatever they want. Usually the older boys will sit in front of our "love of learning" bookshelf and pull off random books and read about anything they want. (We call this "structure time, not content." Regulary one of the boys makes a goal to "do 30 minutes-or however long-of structure time, not content"). They'll spread all over the room and have books everywhere and hop from book to book. They usually can't wait to tell me what they learned. Sometimes we'll put an event or a person on our huge time line that takes up our entire library room. I've changed our family reading to the library room instead of the living room. This has been good because there are lots of things to do and we can really quickly look up something on the computer if we don't understand what we read or we want to see more pictures or whatever. Today we looked up to see when the Hebrew month Nisan was. Very cool you know.
In the meantime Olivia disappears for the day and reads and reads and reads and then writes essays in between. She only shows up at meal time or to walk to our land and check the horses.
Luke is in charge of lunch and so he prepares it for everyone. I still have to help him with it depending on what it is.
After lunch on two days we have to rush off to a scholar school/play date and piano lessons. We are gone for several hours on those days. When we come back from them the kids usually play outside until dinner. (I'm in charge of dinner, but Olivia usually shows up and cooks half of it because she just loves to cook). During lunch we have a big ole' discussion out of the Gospel Principles book about some theology topic. The kids enjoy our discussions and they don't let me forget to do this!
On the other days the kids just keep reading. Jared spends time with Caleb. Jared's stewardship is to mentor Caleb and so he'll usually do it then. We'll play more games or read more books. It just depends on their mood. There is more individual time in the afternoon then in the morning. Who ever didn't practice the piano by breakfast usually does it in the afternoon. Luke sometimes needs reminded to practice, but he does it willingly. They all practice and take piano willingly. I take lessons and practice right along side of them so I think playing the piano is like reading your scriptures-you just do it and don't think about whether you want to do it or not. Family culture?
There is no "school's out time." There is no magical, "Oh, now we get to watch a movie." We just keep on reading and keep on playing. The kids can play 30 min of the Wii in the afternoon-sometimes. They have to stand up and they have to cardio things like boxing.
During dinner we pull out a discussion question and have a big discussion about current events, theology or past history situations. This time is when Alex really gets to talk with the kids about what they think. After dinner if Alex is home we play ping pong while the kids do the dishes. If Alex was home for dinner he usually has to leave for somewhere else so he doesn't stay long. After dinner they play. Sometimes they read (okay a lot of the time). Sometimes we play more games. Sometimes I read more to them. Sometimes we go somewhere.
Caleb pretty much plays hard all day long. He can sort of last through parts of our family reading time. He does like reading to me and so he always sits down to do that. If Caleb has a whole day of playing games and/or playing dress up (dress up as a knight, or Native American or a Roman) he considers the day a success. Today he was in the bath tub for almost 2 hours. He also played play dough for an hour. He's just silly and happy.
We usually put the kids to bed around 9:30. Olivia stays up late reading. She doesn't have a bedtime because she's a scholar. (You wouldn't think an 11 year could study for 8+ hours a day, but she does. And she reads hard things). Luke lies in bed for 1 1/2 hours before he falls asleep. The kids all listen to books on tape or music as the go to sleep. Alex and I usually don't get to sleep until 11.
We stay busy enough with outside things though. It seems like we are gone somewhere for the afternoon or the evening. The kids have piano lessons, 4-H, Cub scouts, scholar school/social play date, and I have things regularly too.
Anyway. There you go. My kids always tell me, "I love my love mom! Thanks for home schooling me." When we drive by the school they say, "I'm so glad I'm home mom. " They've also told me many times that they feel sorry for those kids that have to go to school. "Maybe some day their mommies will let them come home."
Oh, today their piano teacher said, "You kids are always reading such big books!"
We love learning at home and we're happy. : )
Saturday, January 2, 2010
The Compass and the Binder
One of the Ingredients to a Leadership (TJED) Education is the compass. (see Leadership Education Ingredient #16) This is simply a list of goals and things you would like to learn in the next six months. Since we just rang in the new year now is a perfect time to get everyone in your family their own compass. Ideally you place these goals in a sheet protector in their own binder. 
Also included in the binder could be a "skills list." This idea is generated from Diann Jeppson. For example in cooking your child can list ten things he wants to learn to make in the next six months. For my boys we've started out very basic. (canned soup, macaroni and cheese, scrambled eggs, etc) Other skills classes could be: sewing, car repair, food storage, shopping, laundry, cleaning, etc. You shouldn't take for granted that your children know these things!
This binder would also include artwork, papers, lists of books read, etc.
So far only 3 out of the 6 of us have our compasses done. I am one of them in an effort to "inspire, not require" the little dears. Some of my goals are to continue reading the 100 Great books. My next books to tackle are Herodotus and Thucydides. I'm taking piano lessons again! I'm going to crack open that old math textbook. A life skill goal that I have is to perfect making wheat bread.
Now is a good time to think about organization.
Also included in the binder could be a "skills list." This idea is generated from Diann Jeppson. For example in cooking your child can list ten things he wants to learn to make in the next six months. For my boys we've started out very basic. (canned soup, macaroni and cheese, scrambled eggs, etc) Other skills classes could be: sewing, car repair, food storage, shopping, laundry, cleaning, etc. You shouldn't take for granted that your children know these things!
This binder would also include artwork, papers, lists of books read, etc.
So far only 3 out of the 6 of us have our compasses done. I am one of them in an effort to "inspire, not require" the little dears. Some of my goals are to continue reading the 100 Great books. My next books to tackle are Herodotus and Thucydides. I'm taking piano lessons again! I'm going to crack open that old math textbook. A life skill goal that I have is to perfect making wheat bread.
Now is a good time to think about organization.
Monday, December 21, 2009
I guess we did more than I thought
Mom School
Pray/Pledge/Motto
Song: We sang 4 primary songs.
Weekly Scripture Memorization: Isaiah 9:6
Family Scripture Study: 1 Nephi 5
Literature: Read two chapters from Usborne's Treasure Island.
Music: We had our piano recital! Olivia, Jared, Luke and I participated. (Jared is pictured).
Chores/Animal Care
Olivia
Religion:Read a chapter in the Bible.
Music: Practiced the piano. Practiced the violin and practiced vocally for 30 minutes. Watched 30 minutes of a tape about some sing off in America? She really likes it, her grandma taped if for her.
Creating/Life Skills: She is working on some headbands for winter on a loom. She has one finished.
PE:Went on a walk with Jared.
Computers/Art: We finished making our yearbook pages for my parents binder. (painful, but printed and done)
Reading: I'm certain she read. She always reads, but I don't know what today.
Writing: Did some book reviews on Goodreads.
Jared
Music: Practiced the piano. Practiced the saxophone.
Art: He's been doing many things for several days with paints, clay and fabric. He's recreating the characters from Peter and the Starcatchers.
PE: Went on a walk with Olivia. Did the Fun Physical Fitness CD with the other two boys.
Lesson Preparation: He prepared a fantastic lesson on the Nativity story. Complete with scriptures, props, pictures, songs and visual aids. All with no help. He had some wild costumes.
Oral Presentation: Gave a great FHE lesson.
Book on Tape: He listened to a Peter and the Starcatchers for 30 minutes.
Logic: Hours of Lego's.
Creative Play: Lot's of sword fights with his brothers.
Luke
Religion: Read his scriptures.
Music: Practiced the piano.
Creative Writing: He still spending an hour or two at least a day on his current story.
History: He spent over and hour reading about the Egyptians from Usborne's book of World History. He had to tell me everything he read every 5 minutes. He was so excited!
Creative Play: Lot's of sword fights with his brothers.
Logic: Hours of Lego's
PE:Did the Fun Physical Fitness CD with the other two boys.
Art: Lots of drawing and coloring.
Life Skills: We made a new skills lists for cooking.
Goal Planning: We made a list of things he wants to learn and do for the next 6 months. This is called a "Compass." (a Thomas Jefferson Education ingredient)
Caleb
Music: Played around on his aunt's fancy piano after the piano recital.
Creative Play: Lot's of sword fights with his brothers.
Logic: Hours of Lego's
PE:Did the Fun Physical Fitness CD with the other two boys.
Art: Lots of drawing and coloring.Biography:
Science: Read and studied pictures of spiders for a long time.
Life Skills: We made a new skills lists for cooking. Helped with dinner.
Goal Planning: We made a list of things he wants to learn and do for the next 6 months. This is called a "Compass." (a Thomas Jefferson Education ingredient)
To Show Parent Core/Love of Learner/Scholar here are some things we modeled to the children today...
Deanna: Scriptures, journal, conference talk, word of the day, practiced the piano, read several chapters in Leadership Education by the DeMille's, researched the Great Book's book lists, wrapped and worked on Christmas presents, and did the 6 month inventory (an ingredient in the TJED regarding goals for each child for the next 6 months).
Alex: Scriptures, word of the day, went to see a sick friend in the hospital, went to work, ran a lot of errands for me in town (he's such a good hubby, he even bought be mushrooms-he HATES mushrooms), and he is listening to The Last Dickens.
Family Home Evening:
Songs: Away in a Manger, Silent Night and Jingle Bells
Talent: Caleb doing hand stand walking and backward somersaults.
Testimonies: Alex, Deanna, Olivia, Jared, Luke and Caleb
Strength of Youth: Physical Bodies
Uncommon Courtesy: How to apply the rules. We finished it AGAIN. We have read this through 10 times?? Time to go back the Rules of This House.
Proclamation to the World on the Family: Finished the large paragraph.
Weekly Scripture Memorization: Isaiah 9:6
Article of Faith: 11th
Lesson: Given my Jared on the Nativity Story. (Caleb is pictured as a Shepard. The brooms were used as staffs. Jared just had towels draped all over everybody).
Activity: He grandpa/ma haul out their carpet. Played Celestial Pursuit. Treat: Pumpkin bars and cinnamon rolls from a friend. Yummy!
Pray/Pledge/Motto
Song: We sang 4 primary songs.
Weekly Scripture Memorization: Isaiah 9:6
Family Scripture Study: 1 Nephi 5
Literature: Read two chapters from Usborne's Treasure Island.
Music: We had our piano recital! Olivia, Jared, Luke and I participated. (Jared is pictured).
Chores/Animal Care
Olivia
Religion:Read a chapter in the Bible.
Music: Practiced the piano. Practiced the violin and practiced vocally for 30 minutes. Watched 30 minutes of a tape about some sing off in America? She really likes it, her grandma taped if for her.
Creating/Life Skills: She is working on some headbands for winter on a loom. She has one finished.
PE:Went on a walk with Jared.
Computers/Art: We finished making our yearbook pages for my parents binder. (painful, but printed and done)
Reading: I'm certain she read. She always reads, but I don't know what today.
Writing: Did some book reviews on Goodreads.
Jared
Music: Practiced the piano. Practiced the saxophone.
Art: He's been doing many things for several days with paints, clay and fabric. He's recreating the characters from Peter and the Starcatchers.
PE: Went on a walk with Olivia. Did the Fun Physical Fitness CD with the other two boys.
Lesson Preparation: He prepared a fantastic lesson on the Nativity story. Complete with scriptures, props, pictures, songs and visual aids. All with no help. He had some wild costumes.
Oral Presentation: Gave a great FHE lesson.
Book on Tape: He listened to a Peter and the Starcatchers for 30 minutes.
Logic: Hours of Lego's.
Creative Play: Lot's of sword fights with his brothers.
Luke
Religion: Read his scriptures.
Music: Practiced the piano.
Creative Writing: He still spending an hour or two at least a day on his current story.
History: He spent over and hour reading about the Egyptians from Usborne's book of World History. He had to tell me everything he read every 5 minutes. He was so excited!
Creative Play: Lot's of sword fights with his brothers.
Logic: Hours of Lego's
PE:Did the Fun Physical Fitness CD with the other two boys.
Art: Lots of drawing and coloring.
Life Skills: We made a new skills lists for cooking.
Goal Planning: We made a list of things he wants to learn and do for the next 6 months. This is called a "Compass." (a Thomas Jefferson Education ingredient)
Caleb
Music: Played around on his aunt's fancy piano after the piano recital.
Creative Play: Lot's of sword fights with his brothers.
Logic: Hours of Lego's
PE:Did the Fun Physical Fitness CD with the other two boys.
Art: Lots of drawing and coloring.Biography:
Science: Read and studied pictures of spiders for a long time.
Life Skills: We made a new skills lists for cooking. Helped with dinner.
Goal Planning: We made a list of things he wants to learn and do for the next 6 months. This is called a "Compass." (a Thomas Jefferson Education ingredient)
To Show Parent Core/Love of Learner/Scholar here are some things we modeled to the children today...
Deanna: Scriptures, journal, conference talk, word of the day, practiced the piano, read several chapters in Leadership Education by the DeMille's, researched the Great Book's book lists, wrapped and worked on Christmas presents, and did the 6 month inventory (an ingredient in the TJED regarding goals for each child for the next 6 months).
Alex: Scriptures, word of the day, went to see a sick friend in the hospital, went to work, ran a lot of errands for me in town (he's such a good hubby, he even bought be mushrooms-he HATES mushrooms), and he is listening to The Last Dickens.
Family Home Evening:
Songs: Away in a Manger, Silent Night and Jingle Bells
Talent: Caleb doing hand stand walking and backward somersaults.
Testimonies: Alex, Deanna, Olivia, Jared, Luke and Caleb
Strength of Youth: Physical Bodies
Uncommon Courtesy: How to apply the rules. We finished it AGAIN. We have read this through 10 times?? Time to go back the Rules of This House.
Proclamation to the World on the Family: Finished the large paragraph.
Weekly Scripture Memorization: Isaiah 9:6
Article of Faith: 11th
Lesson: Given my Jared on the Nativity Story. (Caleb is pictured as a Shepard. The brooms were used as staffs. Jared just had towels draped all over everybody).
Activity: He grandpa/ma haul out their carpet. Played Celestial Pursuit. Treat: Pumpkin bars and cinnamon rolls from a friend. Yummy!
Monday, December 14, 2009
Dear Homeschool Journal,
This is the week I'm going to be brave. This is the week I'm going to apply the principles of a Thomas Jefferson Education all week. This is the week I put it to the test. This week is the perfect time. We were going to take next week off. Last week we finished two science textbooks and our Idaho History book so I don't want to start new books this week.
Referencing A Thomas Jefferson Education I'm really good about inspiring my kids, I'm really good about reading classics to them, but I have a control issue. I like things my way. That's not always a good thing. But the writing is on the wall, here's some recent comments in our house:
Olivia: "Mom, if you believe all this TJED stuff why don't don't you let me do it?" She said this very nicely by the way. She explained that she was tired of all the dumb stuff I was expecting her to do and it was getting in the way of her studying the important things like literature, music and history.
Olivia: "Mom, I just need time to work on 'my music."
Luke: "I wish I had more time so that I could work on my stories."
Jared: "I want to spend more time memorizing things. Why can't I?"
Jared: (to Alex) "I'm so sick of all the workbooks!"
Caleb: "I just want to play games with you."
Okay, can they be anymore plainer? Sometimes I feel like an idiot. But, life is good to us and allows us all a chance to repent. So here's to a week of submission. Here's to a week of doing things a way other than mine. Look for the verdict at the end of the week. Wish me luck. I really need. Deep breaths.
Referencing A Thomas Jefferson Education I'm really good about inspiring my kids, I'm really good about reading classics to them, but I have a control issue. I like things my way. That's not always a good thing. But the writing is on the wall, here's some recent comments in our house:
Olivia: "Mom, if you believe all this TJED stuff why don't don't you let me do it?" She said this very nicely by the way. She explained that she was tired of all the dumb stuff I was expecting her to do and it was getting in the way of her studying the important things like literature, music and history.
Olivia: "Mom, I just need time to work on 'my music."
Luke: "I wish I had more time so that I could work on my stories."
Jared: "I want to spend more time memorizing things. Why can't I?"
Jared: (to Alex) "I'm so sick of all the workbooks!"
Caleb: "I just want to play games with you."
Okay, can they be anymore plainer? Sometimes I feel like an idiot. But, life is good to us and allows us all a chance to repent. So here's to a week of submission. Here's to a week of doing things a way other than mine. Look for the verdict at the end of the week. Wish me luck. I really need. Deep breaths.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Mom School
Pray/Pledge/Motto
Music: We sang 5 primary songs.
Family Scripture Study: Revelations 11
Weekly Scripture Memorization: 2 John 1:5
Conference Talk: President Monson's talk on service.
Friend Article
Fairy Tales/Fables: We read 5 chapters in The Secret History of Tom Trueheart by Ian Beck.
Language Arts: We talked about pronouns, alliterations and allegories.
World History: We read about the Babylonians from Usborne's World History book.
Idaho History: We read the chapter about Idaho's road to statehood in Rendezvous with Idaho History.
Geography: Central America
Biology: We learned about Horses and Farm Animals Usborne's Illustrated Science Encyclopedia.
Chemistry: We read more about motion from MacMillian Science 3.
Chores/Animal care
Olivia
Religion: Read a chapter in the New Testament and read The Family: A Proclamation to the World.
Family History: Read Address to my Children by Heber C Kimball.
Music: Practiced the piano and went to piano lessons. Practiced the violin.
Geography: Did an Evan-Moor Geography lesson.
Math: Did a Saxon 7/6 math lesson.
Vocabulary: Peterson's Word of the Day
Free Reading: Read Work and the Glory for an hour. Art: Did needle point for two hours.
Achievements: Worked on several Faith in God achievements including memorizing the last couple Articles of Faith.
Like Skills: Carmel Popcorn
Jared
Religion: Read his scriptures.
Music: Went to piano lessons.
Math: Did two Saxon Math 6/5 lesson.
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages in Explode the Code
Reading: Read Eldest for 30 min.
Book on Tape: Listened to Inkdeath for an hour.
Scouts: Worked on some scout requirements for an hour. He learned about and did requirements for citizenship and fitness.
Luke
Religion: Read a chapter in the Book of Mormon.
Music: Practiced the piano and went to piano lessons.
Math: Did two Saxon Math 3 lessons.
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages in Explode the Code
Creative Writing: Worked on his story.
Free Reading: Lots of reading in various things for over an hour.
Grammar: Did a Daily Grams lesson.
Geography: Did an Evan-Moor Geography lesson.
Science: Read in a Magic School Bus chapter book.
Caleb
Religion: Read a couple of versus in The Book of Mormon to me.
Math: Did a Saxon Math 2 lesson.
Spelling: Practiced his spelling words.
Phonics/Handwriting: Did two pages in Explode the Code.
Reading: Read a McGuffy Reader lesson to me. He also read a story to me.
Deanna: Scriptures, journal, conference talk, word of the day, read The Scarlet Letter for two hours and studied about diagramming sentences.
Alex: Scriptures, word of the day, went to work, and listening to The Book Thief.
Family Home Evening:
Activity: Putting up Christmas decorations.
Treat: Homemade Carmel popcorn.
Pray/Pledge/Motto
Music: We sang 5 primary songs.
Family Scripture Study: Revelations 11
Weekly Scripture Memorization: 2 John 1:5
Conference Talk: President Monson's talk on service.
Friend Article
Fairy Tales/Fables: We read 5 chapters in The Secret History of Tom Trueheart by Ian Beck.
Language Arts: We talked about pronouns, alliterations and allegories.
World History: We read about the Babylonians from Usborne's World History book.
Idaho History: We read the chapter about Idaho's road to statehood in Rendezvous with Idaho History.
Geography: Central America
Biology: We learned about Horses and Farm Animals Usborne's Illustrated Science Encyclopedia.
Chemistry: We read more about motion from MacMillian Science 3.
Chores/Animal care
Olivia
Religion: Read a chapter in the New Testament and read The Family: A Proclamation to the World.
Family History: Read Address to my Children by Heber C Kimball.
Music: Practiced the piano and went to piano lessons. Practiced the violin.
Geography: Did an Evan-Moor Geography lesson.
Math: Did a Saxon 7/6 math lesson.
Vocabulary: Peterson's Word of the Day
Free Reading: Read Work and the Glory for an hour. Art: Did needle point for two hours.
Achievements: Worked on several Faith in God achievements including memorizing the last couple Articles of Faith.
Like Skills: Carmel Popcorn
Jared
Religion: Read his scriptures.
Music: Went to piano lessons.
Math: Did two Saxon Math 6/5 lesson.
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages in Explode the Code
Reading: Read Eldest for 30 min.
Book on Tape: Listened to Inkdeath for an hour.
Scouts: Worked on some scout requirements for an hour. He learned about and did requirements for citizenship and fitness.
Luke
Religion: Read a chapter in the Book of Mormon.
Music: Practiced the piano and went to piano lessons.
Math: Did two Saxon Math 3 lessons.
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages in Explode the Code
Creative Writing: Worked on his story.
Free Reading: Lots of reading in various things for over an hour.
Grammar: Did a Daily Grams lesson.
Geography: Did an Evan-Moor Geography lesson.
Science: Read in a Magic School Bus chapter book.
Caleb
Religion: Read a couple of versus in The Book of Mormon to me.
Math: Did a Saxon Math 2 lesson.
Spelling: Practiced his spelling words.
Phonics/Handwriting: Did two pages in Explode the Code.
Reading: Read a McGuffy Reader lesson to me. He also read a story to me.
Deanna: Scriptures, journal, conference talk, word of the day, read The Scarlet Letter for two hours and studied about diagramming sentences.
Alex: Scriptures, word of the day, went to work, and listening to The Book Thief.
Family Home Evening:
Activity: Putting up Christmas decorations.
Treat: Homemade Carmel popcorn.
Monday, September 14, 2009
September 14, 2009 (Monday)
Family Scripture Study: 1 Corinthians 15
Mom School
Pray/Pledge
Music: The Valiant Song and How Firm a Foundation
Bible: Adam and Eve from The Old Testament Reader.
Weekly Scripture Memorization: 3 Nephi 11:29
Friend Article
Literature: Anthony and Cleopatra from More Tales from Shakespeare by Marcia Williams
Read-a-loud: 1 chapter from Leven Thumps #1
Science: Read a chapter in Houghton Mifflin Social Studies: States and Regions.
Idaho History: We discussed the state bird, horse and flower.
Creative Play/Social: Lots of make believe play (knights and armor today) and a huge amount of conflict resolution.
Lots of Lego's
Several Brain Pop, Jr. Science videos on the computer
Chores
Olivia
Religion: Read a chapter in Genesis.
Geography: Did an Evan-Moor lesson.
Math: Did a Saxon 7/6 lesson.
Math Drill: Did a subtraction fact drill.
Language Arts: Did a Daily Grams lesson and 1 1/2 lessons from Root Words.
Creative Writing: Did an Editor-in-Chief lesson. She also did her 30 min writing assignment from her scholar class. (She typed it up so she did typing also).
Reading: Started Pride and Prejudice.
Music: Practiced her vocal solo for the recital.
Jared
Religion: Read in the Book of Mormon.
Music: Practiced his recital piece.
Geography: Did an Evan-Moor lesson.
Math: Did a Saxon 6/5 lesson.
Math Drill: Did an addition math fact drill.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code
Creative Writing: Did a lesson in Let's Write.
Grammar: Did a Daily Grams lesson.
Reading: Read in Peter and the Star Catchers for at least 30 min
Luke
Religion: Read in the Book of Mormon
Geography: Did an Evan-Moor lesson.
Math: Did a Saxon 3 lesson.
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code
Grammar: Did a Daily Grams lesson.
Spelling: Did a spell drill.
Creative Writing: Did a writing lesson from Let's Write and he did his 30 min writing assignment for his Scholar Writing class. He also typed and worked on a story on the computer.
Reading: Read various things for over 30 min including a chapter in Prince Caspian
Caleb
Religion: Read a verse in the Book of Mormon to me.
Geography: Did a lesson from Evan-Moor.
Math: Did a Saxon Math 2 lesson.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 3 pages of Explode the Code
Reading: Read part of The Cat in the Hat Comes Back to me and he also practiced some sight words.
Logic: Played with pattern blocks.
Family Home Evening:
We were gone most of the night to a piano recital. Jared and I performed a piano number and Olivia had a vocal performance.
To Show Parent Core/Love of Learner/Scholar here are some things we modeled to the children today...
Deanna: Scriptures, journal, piano practice, family history research, I ordered another BYU class (Yeah!!) and started it. It is Advanced Writing in Literature.
Alex: Scriptures, word of the day, listening to Tears of the Desert, and went to work.
Mom School
Pray/Pledge
Music: The Valiant Song and How Firm a Foundation
Bible: Adam and Eve from The Old Testament Reader.
Weekly Scripture Memorization: 3 Nephi 11:29
Friend Article
Literature: Anthony and Cleopatra from More Tales from Shakespeare by Marcia Williams
Read-a-loud: 1 chapter from Leven Thumps #1
Science: Read a chapter in Houghton Mifflin Social Studies: States and Regions.
Idaho History: We discussed the state bird, horse and flower.
Creative Play/Social: Lots of make believe play (knights and armor today) and a huge amount of conflict resolution.
Lots of Lego's
Several Brain Pop, Jr. Science videos on the computer
Chores
Olivia
Religion: Read a chapter in Genesis.
Geography: Did an Evan-Moor lesson.
Math: Did a Saxon 7/6 lesson.
Math Drill: Did a subtraction fact drill.
Language Arts: Did a Daily Grams lesson and 1 1/2 lessons from Root Words.
Creative Writing: Did an Editor-in-Chief lesson. She also did her 30 min writing assignment from her scholar class. (She typed it up so she did typing also).
Reading: Started Pride and Prejudice.
Music: Practiced her vocal solo for the recital.
Jared
Religion: Read in the Book of Mormon.
Music: Practiced his recital piece.
Geography: Did an Evan-Moor lesson.
Math: Did a Saxon 6/5 lesson.
Math Drill: Did an addition math fact drill.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code
Creative Writing: Did a lesson in Let's Write.
Grammar: Did a Daily Grams lesson.
Reading: Read in Peter and the Star Catchers for at least 30 min
Luke
Religion: Read in the Book of Mormon
Geography: Did an Evan-Moor lesson.
Math: Did a Saxon 3 lesson.
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code
Grammar: Did a Daily Grams lesson.
Spelling: Did a spell drill.
Creative Writing: Did a writing lesson from Let's Write and he did his 30 min writing assignment for his Scholar Writing class. He also typed and worked on a story on the computer.
Reading: Read various things for over 30 min including a chapter in Prince Caspian
Caleb
Religion: Read a verse in the Book of Mormon to me.
Geography: Did a lesson from Evan-Moor.
Math: Did a Saxon Math 2 lesson.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 3 pages of Explode the Code
Reading: Read part of The Cat in the Hat Comes Back to me and he also practiced some sight words.
Logic: Played with pattern blocks.
Family Home Evening:
We were gone most of the night to a piano recital. Jared and I performed a piano number and Olivia had a vocal performance.
To Show Parent Core/Love of Learner/Scholar here are some things we modeled to the children today...
Deanna: Scriptures, journal, piano practice, family history research, I ordered another BYU class (Yeah!!) and started it. It is Advanced Writing in Literature.
Alex: Scriptures, word of the day, listening to Tears of the Desert, and went to work.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
September 8, 2009 (Tuesday): A Message From the President
Family Scripture Reading: 1 Corinthians 1
Mom School
Pray
Song: Called to Serve and My Body is a Temple
Weekly Scripture Memorization: 3 Nephi 11:29 : )
Current Events: Today we watched the broadcast by Pres. Obama to the school children of American. We had quite the lively discussion about socialism, environmentalism, discrimination, pushing agendas. All I could see in my mind was a picture of Mao's Red China. Scary. And people don't even see it.
Pray
Song: Called to Serve and My Body is a Temple
Weekly Scripture Memorization: 3 Nephi 11:29 : )
Current Events: Today we watched the broadcast by Pres. Obama to the school children of American. We had quite the lively discussion about socialism, environmentalism, discrimination, pushing agendas. All I could see in my mind was a picture of Mao's Red China. Scary. And people don't even see it.
History/Science: Went to the Herret Center, a Natural History Museum. We had a very fun visit. It focused on Central American/Mayan history and animals. We've been several times over the years, but this was a good visit. They had some computers set up and we played Mayan games and puzzles for a while.
Science: Played "Spin the Bottle." I made questions out of all the vocab
ulary words and subjects we have learned so far this year and put them inside the bottle and they had to answer the question if it landed on them. They REALLY liked it. We'll add more questions and keep playing as the year goes on.
Science Experiment: "Magic Gas" Fill a plastic bottle 1/3 of the way full with warm water. Add a package of yeast and a teaspoon of sugar. Swirl to mix. Then place a balloon over the top securely. Wait and watch as the balloon magically rises. (We helped ours along because it said to place in a warm window sill. We had no warm window sill today. So we turned the oven on and just them on top of the oven). Point: Since yeast is a plant the carbon di
oxide from it rises and causes the balloon to rise as well.
Science Observation: We looked through the telescope at Jupiter and its four moons. (tonight)
Science: Played "Spin the Bottle." I made questions out of all the vocab
ulary words and subjects we have learned so far this year and put them inside the bottle and they had to answer the question if it landed on them. They REALLY liked it. We'll add more questions and keep playing as the year goes on.Science Experiment: "Magic Gas" Fill a plastic bottle 1/3 of the way full with warm water. Add a package of yeast and a teaspoon of sugar. Swirl to mix. Then place a balloon over the top securely. Wait and watch as the balloon magically rises. (We helped ours along because it said to place in a warm window sill. We had no warm window sill today. So we turned the oven on and just them on top of the oven). Point: Since yeast is a plant the carbon di
oxide from it rises and causes the balloon to rise as well.Science Observation: We looked through the telescope at Jupiter and its four moons. (tonight)
Life Skills: Major grocery shopping and library
Service: Make cookies for a community member.
Chores
Family: Currently my computer is giving me massive problems and extreme mental anguish. Therefore, I'm keeping this simple... Everyone did: Math, Math drill, spelling, creative writing, phonics, grammar, geography and free reading. Some people did a little more, but I'm going to pitch this computer so I'm ending...
Service: Make cookies for a community member.
Chores
Family: Currently my computer is giving me massive problems and extreme mental anguish. Therefore, I'm keeping this simple... Everyone did: Math, Math drill, spelling, creative writing, phonics, grammar, geography and free reading. Some people did a little more, but I'm going to pitch this computer so I'm ending...
Thursday, May 14, 2009
May 14, 2009 (Thursday)
Mom School
Pray/Pledge
Song: How Firm a Foundation
Theology: "Missionary Work" from Our Heritage
Church History: Translating the Book of Mormon
Weekly Scripture Memorization: 1 Nephi 3:&
Friend Article
Biography/American History: Read 2 chapters in Little House in the Big Woods.
Science Literature: Read a chapter from The Wind in the Door.
Memorization: Planets of the universe
Music: Rhythm poem
Geography: Lines of Longitude from Young Students Learning Library: World Atlas
Science: The Respiratory System from Usborne's Book of Knowledge.
PE: Baseball cancelled again because of weather. So they jumped a lot on the trampoline between rain showers.
Chores
Olivia
Religion: Read a chapter in the Book of Mormon.
Music: Practiced the piano.
Math: Lesson 140 and FINISHED HER SAXON 6/5 book. Happy day, dance a jig.
Writing: Journal entry on her blog.
Vocabulary: Peterson's Word of the Day- Placate
Free Reading: Read for over three hours in Leven Thumps: The Gateway to Foo.
Life Skills: Did her laundry. I'm not sure why since I was more than happy to do it since I was doing everyone else's but she wanted to do it. It really didn't hurt my feelings!
PE: Went on a walk with Caleb.
Jared
Religion: Read a chapter in the Book of Mormon. Read a chapter in The Doctrine and Covenants Reader.
Music: Practiced his recital piece.
Jared had a rough day. But he's doing better now....
Luke
Religion: Read a couple of chapters in the Book of Mormon.
Math: Did a couple of Saxon Math 2 lessons.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code
Writing: Did a work book page from Let's Write.
Creative Writing: Finished his book! It ended up being 8 typed pages.
Free Reading: Started reading Tigers at Twilight at Magic Tree House book.
Reading: Read 3 lessons in the McGuffy Second Reader.
Caleb
Religion: Read a couple of verses in The Book of Mormon.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: Did 3 pages in Explode the Code.
Reading: Read a McGuffy Primer lesson to me and read a phonics reader to me.
PE: Went on a walk with Olivia.
Family (in the evening):
Prayer/Song: I Lived in Heaven
Family Scriptures: John 20 & 21
To Show Parent Core/Love of Learner/Scholar here are some things we modeled to the children today...
Deanna: Scriptures, journal, conference talk, word of the day, helped at a funeral, practiced my recital piece and practiced some other things, finished reading the chapter and answered the questions for my BYU Hist 220 class, and read (started, read, finished) The Choice by Nicolas Sparks.
Alex: Scriptures, word of the day, went to a conference all day (left early and came home late), and he's listening to Master and Commander.
Pray/Pledge
Song: How Firm a Foundation
Theology: "Missionary Work" from Our Heritage
Church History: Translating the Book of Mormon
Weekly Scripture Memorization: 1 Nephi 3:&
Friend Article
Biography/American History: Read 2 chapters in Little House in the Big Woods.
Science Literature: Read a chapter from The Wind in the Door.
Memorization: Planets of the universe
Music: Rhythm poem
Geography: Lines of Longitude from Young Students Learning Library: World Atlas
Science: The Respiratory System from Usborne's Book of Knowledge.
PE: Baseball cancelled again because of weather. So they jumped a lot on the trampoline between rain showers.
Chores
Olivia
Religion: Read a chapter in the Book of Mormon.
Music: Practiced the piano.
Math: Lesson 140 and FINISHED HER SAXON 6/5 book. Happy day, dance a jig.
Writing: Journal entry on her blog.
Vocabulary: Peterson's Word of the Day- Placate
Free Reading: Read for over three hours in Leven Thumps: The Gateway to Foo.
Life Skills: Did her laundry. I'm not sure why since I was more than happy to do it since I was doing everyone else's but she wanted to do it. It really didn't hurt my feelings!
PE: Went on a walk with Caleb.
Jared
Religion: Read a chapter in the Book of Mormon. Read a chapter in The Doctrine and Covenants Reader.
Music: Practiced his recital piece.
Jared had a rough day. But he's doing better now....
Luke
Religion: Read a couple of chapters in the Book of Mormon.
Math: Did a couple of Saxon Math 2 lessons.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code
Writing: Did a work book page from Let's Write.
Creative Writing: Finished his book! It ended up being 8 typed pages.
Free Reading: Started reading Tigers at Twilight at Magic Tree House book.
Reading: Read 3 lessons in the McGuffy Second Reader.
Caleb
Religion: Read a couple of verses in The Book of Mormon.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: Did 3 pages in Explode the Code.
Reading: Read a McGuffy Primer lesson to me and read a phonics reader to me.
PE: Went on a walk with Olivia.
Family (in the evening):
Prayer/Song: I Lived in Heaven
Family Scriptures: John 20 & 21
To Show Parent Core/Love of Learner/Scholar here are some things we modeled to the children today...
Deanna: Scriptures, journal, conference talk, word of the day, helped at a funeral, practiced my recital piece and practiced some other things, finished reading the chapter and answered the questions for my BYU Hist 220 class, and read (started, read, finished) The Choice by Nicolas Sparks.
Alex: Scriptures, word of the day, went to a conference all day (left early and came home late), and he's listening to Master and Commander.
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Luke's conversation
Luke called me into is room because he wanted to read to me something in the book he was reading. He's reading Prince Caspian by CS Lewis right now. He said listen to this... I don't remember the exact words but it was something about somebody fighting and Lucy made a reference to the War of the Roses. With that mention Luke busted up laughing. I didn't think he really understood what they were talking about. I asked him if knew what the War of the Roses was. He said, "Oh, yeah. That was the civil war fought in England. One family was divided because they couldn't agree who should be the king." I just smiled and said your right. I had know idea he knew that.
It's nice to know my kids are learning....I didn't know what the War of the Roses was until I was an adult.
It's nice to know my kids are learning....I didn't know what the War of the Roses was until I was an adult.
Monday, March 23, 2009
March 23, 2009 (Monday): Another book showing
Mom School
Pray/Pledge
Song: My Eternal Family
Theology: Chapter 29: The Lord's Law of Health from Gospel Principles
Book of Mormon Stories: Limhi and his people escape
Friend Article
Biography/American History: Read 1 chapter in Sacajawea: American Pathfinder by Flora Warren Seymour from the Childhood of Famous Americans
World History Literature: Read 2 chapters from Greek Myths: Ulysses and the Trojan War by Usborne
Read-a-loud: Read 2 chapters in Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Memorization: 12 apostles of the LDS church, the 50 states alphabetically, started working on the states and the capitals (A's) and Books of the Old Testament.
Family History (WWII History): Started a family history book Memories of a Flying Tiger by Leonard Hancock (my grandfather)-about his experiences in China as a gunner during WWII. This is 125 page bound book so it will take us two weeks to read.
Geography: India, Himalayas, Tibet and China (from the family history story)
Health: Fitness Walking from Eat Well and Keep Moving by Lillian Cheung
Business/Social: We had a Usborne book showing in the afternoon.
Science/Pet Care: Jared and Olivia each have a hamster that they are responsible for. They also take turns caring for our dog, cat and sea monkeys.
Olivia
Religion: Read 1 chapter in The Book of Mormon (she's in Heleman right now).
Music: Practiced simplified hymns on the piano.
Geography: Did a geography lesson from Evan-Moor.
Art: Drawing
Math: Did lesson 117 in Saxon 6/5.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Language Arts: contractions from Easy Grammar
Vocabulary: Peterson's Word of the Day- Amenable
Vocabulary/Language Usage: Test from Classical Root Words
Literature: Read in Walden for one hour.
Business/Presentation: She was heavily involved in the entire book show. She helps people select books and helps them fill out their order forms.
Writing/Study: Prepared a lesson for next's week Family Home Evening.
Jared
Religion: Read a chapter in the New Testament Reader.
Math: Did a lesson from Singapore 3B.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code
Free Reading: Read for 30 min in Sherlock Holmes.
Luke
Religion: Read a chapter in the Book of Mormon Reader.
Geography: Did a geography lesson on map reader from Evan-Moor.
Math: Saxon Math 2 lesson
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code.
Reading: Read King Arthur for 1 hour.
Research: WWII aircraft-specifically B-17 bombers that his grandpa trained in. He has a gigantic book-very heavy-that has all the aircraft used in WWII. Very cool. I'm able to talk them a little about these things because in my "former life" (before kids) I was a pilot myself.
Caleb
Logic: Pattern Blocks
Math: Played a game teaching sums up to 10 from Right Start Math.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 8 pages of Explode the Code.
Reading: Sight words drilling and read a phonics reader.
Family (in the evening):
Family Home Evening: Lesson based on this talk by Elder Hamula. (The War against sin).
We tried to visit and elderly lady but she wasn't home.
To Show Parent Core/Love of Learner/Scholar here are some things we modeled to the children today...
Deanna: Scriptures, journal, spell drill, word of the day, 2 chapters in The Odyssey and a lesson in my Greek workbooks.
Alex: Scriptures, read a chapter in Rule #1 by Phil Town, word of the day, went to work, and listened to The Odyssey.
Pray/Pledge
Song: My Eternal Family
Theology: Chapter 29: The Lord's Law of Health from Gospel Principles
Book of Mormon Stories: Limhi and his people escape
Friend Article
Biography/American History: Read 1 chapter in Sacajawea: American Pathfinder by Flora Warren Seymour from the Childhood of Famous Americans
World History Literature: Read 2 chapters from Greek Myths: Ulysses and the Trojan War by Usborne
Read-a-loud: Read 2 chapters in Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Memorization: 12 apostles of the LDS church, the 50 states alphabetically, started working on the states and the capitals (A's) and Books of the Old Testament.
Family History (WWII History): Started a family history book Memories of a Flying Tiger by Leonard Hancock (my grandfather)-about his experiences in China as a gunner during WWII. This is 125 page bound book so it will take us two weeks to read.
Geography: India, Himalayas, Tibet and China (from the family history story)
Health: Fitness Walking from Eat Well and Keep Moving by Lillian Cheung
Business/Social: We had a Usborne book showing in the afternoon.
Science/Pet Care: Jared and Olivia each have a hamster that they are responsible for. They also take turns caring for our dog, cat and sea monkeys.
Olivia
Religion: Read 1 chapter in The Book of Mormon (she's in Heleman right now).
Music: Practiced simplified hymns on the piano.
Geography: Did a geography lesson from Evan-Moor.
Art: Drawing
Math: Did lesson 117 in Saxon 6/5.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Language Arts: contractions from Easy Grammar
Vocabulary: Peterson's Word of the Day- Amenable
Vocabulary/Language Usage: Test from Classical Root Words
Literature: Read in Walden for one hour.
Business/Presentation: She was heavily involved in the entire book show. She helps people select books and helps them fill out their order forms.
Writing/Study: Prepared a lesson for next's week Family Home Evening.
Jared
Religion: Read a chapter in the New Testament Reader.
Math: Did a lesson from Singapore 3B.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code
Free Reading: Read for 30 min in Sherlock Holmes.
Luke
Religion: Read a chapter in the Book of Mormon Reader.
Geography: Did a geography lesson on map reader from Evan-Moor.
Math: Saxon Math 2 lesson
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code.
Reading: Read King Arthur for 1 hour.
Research: WWII aircraft-specifically B-17 bombers that his grandpa trained in. He has a gigantic book-very heavy-that has all the aircraft used in WWII. Very cool. I'm able to talk them a little about these things because in my "former life" (before kids) I was a pilot myself.
Caleb
Logic: Pattern Blocks
Math: Played a game teaching sums up to 10 from Right Start Math.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 8 pages of Explode the Code.
Reading: Sight words drilling and read a phonics reader.
Family (in the evening):
Family Home Evening: Lesson based on this talk by Elder Hamula. (The War against sin).
We tried to visit and elderly lady but she wasn't home.
To Show Parent Core/Love of Learner/Scholar here are some things we modeled to the children today...
Deanna: Scriptures, journal, spell drill, word of the day, 2 chapters in The Odyssey and a lesson in my Greek workbooks.
Alex: Scriptures, read a chapter in Rule #1 by Phil Town, word of the day, went to work, and listened to The Odyssey.
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
03/17/09 (Tue): St. Patrick's Day
Mom School
Pray/Pledge
Song: My Eternal Family
Theology: Chapter 26: Sacrifice from Gospel Principles
Book of Mormon Stories: The Nephites reach the America's.
Friend Article
Biography/American History: 1 1/2 chapters of Andrew Jackson: Young Patriot by George Edward Stanley from the Childhood of Famous Americans.
World History Literature: 1 chapter from Greek Myths: Ulysses and the Trojan War by Anna Clayborne (Usborne)
Greek Myths: 4 stories from D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths
General Myths: 2 stories from The Usborne Book of Myths and Legends
Read-a-loud: 2 chapters from Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Memorization: The 50 states of the USA and The Books of the Old Testament
Family History: The biography of Sophia Walbum.
Health: Eating vegetables and fruits from Eat Well and Keep Moving by Lilian Cheung
Science/Pet Care: Jared and Olivia each have a hamster that they are responsible for. They also take turns caring for our dog, cat and sea monkeys.
Olivia
Religion: 1 chapter from The Book of Mormon
Family History: Indexed some more family history names.
Music: Practiced the piano (hymns from the simplified hymn book). Here's a good example of Inspire Not Require. Olivia hasn't had piano lessons because she doesn't want them. And yet she's able to play with two hands out of the simplified hymn book. Hmmm....
World History: Read for 30 min about World War I and II from Usborne's World War's book.
Math: Lesson 115
Math Drill: Played Money, Money! with Caleb.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Language Arts: Verbs
Vocabulary: Peterson's Word of the Day- RAZE
Literature: Read Walden by Thoreau for 1 hour and finished her Scholar School assignment for tomorrow.
Greek: Worked on her Greek alphabet letter recognition.
PE: Went on a scooter ride to get the mail.
Jared
Religion: Read a chapter from The New Testament Reader.
Music: Practiced his piano lesson.
Science: Played Brain Pop, Jr on line (watched science videos).
Math: Did a Singapore 3B lesson.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code
Phonics/Computer: Played Explode the Code online
Free Reading: Read a Star Wars chapter book for 1 hour.
Book on Tape: Listened to Brisingr for at least 2 hours.
Luke
Religion: Read a couple of chapters from The Book of Mormon Reader. He also read for a while in the real Book of Mormon.
World History: Started the chapter book King Arthur read for over an hour in it.
Geography: Did a geography workbook lesson.
Math: Did a Saxon Math 2 lesson.
Logic: Played Chess on the computer.
Spelling: 2 spell drills
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code
Creative Writing: Did a creative writing lesson in a workbook.
Free Reading: Read for 2 hours and finished
Writing: Did a Good Reads review.
PE: Rode bikes and played outside this afternoon.
Caleb
Religion: Looked at and "read" in The Book of Mormon Reader.
Spanish: Looked at the 1000 Words in Spanish book by Usborne for a long time.
Math: Did a Right Start Math lesson about money.
Math Drill: Played Money, Money! with Olivia.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: Did 4 pages in Explode the Code.
Phonics/Computer: Played Explode the Code on line.
PE: Rode bikes and played outside.
Family (in the evening):
Rode Horses with Alex.
Took all the furniture out of the living room for our carpet that's coming on Thursday.
Ran around in the big living room that was emptied out, playing for hours.
They also did exercises of all sorts in the open space too.
To Show Parent Core/Love of Learner/Scholar here are some things we modeled to the children today...
Deanna: Scriptures, journal, spell drill, word of the day, practiced the piano, practiced the organ, completed TWO BYU-Geography lessons, puts some finishing touches on my talk for New Beginnings in Young Women's tomorrow night, practiced for a vocal musical number, went to the Relief Society Birthday Dinner, performed our vocal musical number (lots of fun), practiced Greek in the New Testament, and read in The Odyssey by Homer.
Alex: Scriptures, word of the day, worked in the temple, went to work, listened to The Odyssey by Homer and played basketball at the school (they usually only do it on Saturdays).
Pray/Pledge
Song: My Eternal Family
Theology: Chapter 26: Sacrifice from Gospel Principles
Book of Mormon Stories: The Nephites reach the America's.
Friend Article
Biography/American History: 1 1/2 chapters of Andrew Jackson: Young Patriot by George Edward Stanley from the Childhood of Famous Americans.
World History Literature: 1 chapter from Greek Myths: Ulysses and the Trojan War by Anna Clayborne (Usborne)
Greek Myths: 4 stories from D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths
General Myths: 2 stories from The Usborne Book of Myths and Legends
Read-a-loud: 2 chapters from Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Memorization: The 50 states of the USA and The Books of the Old Testament
Family History: The biography of Sophia Walbum.
Health: Eating vegetables and fruits from Eat Well and Keep Moving by Lilian Cheung
Science/Pet Care: Jared and Olivia each have a hamster that they are responsible for. They also take turns caring for our dog, cat and sea monkeys.
Olivia
Religion: 1 chapter from The Book of Mormon
Family History: Indexed some more family history names.
Music: Practiced the piano (hymns from the simplified hymn book). Here's a good example of Inspire Not Require. Olivia hasn't had piano lessons because she doesn't want them. And yet she's able to play with two hands out of the simplified hymn book. Hmmm....
World History: Read for 30 min about World War I and II from Usborne's World War's book.
Math: Lesson 115
Math Drill: Played Money, Money! with Caleb.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Language Arts: Verbs
Vocabulary: Peterson's Word of the Day- RAZE
Literature: Read Walden by Thoreau for 1 hour and finished her Scholar School assignment for tomorrow.
Greek: Worked on her Greek alphabet letter recognition.
PE: Went on a scooter ride to get the mail.
Jared
Religion: Read a chapter from The New Testament Reader.
Music: Practiced his piano lesson.
Science: Played Brain Pop, Jr on line (watched science videos).
Math: Did a Singapore 3B lesson.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code
Phonics/Computer: Played Explode the Code online
Free Reading: Read a Star Wars chapter book for 1 hour.
Book on Tape: Listened to Brisingr for at least 2 hours.
Luke
Religion: Read a couple of chapters from The Book of Mormon Reader. He also read for a while in the real Book of Mormon.
World History: Started the chapter book King Arthur read for over an hour in it.
Geography: Did a geography workbook lesson.
Math: Did a Saxon Math 2 lesson.
Logic: Played Chess on the computer.
Spelling: 2 spell drills
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code
Creative Writing: Did a creative writing lesson in a workbook.
Free Reading: Read for 2 hours and finished
Writing: Did a Good Reads review.
PE: Rode bikes and played outside this afternoon.
Caleb
Religion: Looked at and "read" in The Book of Mormon Reader.
Spanish: Looked at the 1000 Words in Spanish book by Usborne for a long time.
Math: Did a Right Start Math lesson about money.
Math Drill: Played Money, Money! with Olivia.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: Did 4 pages in Explode the Code.
Phonics/Computer: Played Explode the Code on line.
PE: Rode bikes and played outside.
Family (in the evening):
Rode Horses with Alex.
Took all the furniture out of the living room for our carpet that's coming on Thursday.
Ran around in the big living room that was emptied out, playing for hours.
They also did exercises of all sorts in the open space too.
To Show Parent Core/Love of Learner/Scholar here are some things we modeled to the children today...
Deanna: Scriptures, journal, spell drill, word of the day, practiced the piano, practiced the organ, completed TWO BYU-Geography lessons, puts some finishing touches on my talk for New Beginnings in Young Women's tomorrow night, practiced for a vocal musical number, went to the Relief Society Birthday Dinner, performed our vocal musical number (lots of fun), practiced Greek in the New Testament, and read in The Odyssey by Homer.
Alex: Scriptures, word of the day, worked in the temple, went to work, listened to The Odyssey by Homer and played basketball at the school (they usually only do it on Saturdays).
Saturday, March 14, 2009
03/13/09 (Fri): Read, Read, Read
Today, the kids asked if I would read to them all day instead of doing any of our other routines. We took a late lunch and then the kids played for a couple of hours outside-it was a nice day!-then we read for a couple more hours. The kids did do several individual things on their own between reading and writing but I'm not going to write it down.
Mom School
Pray/National Anthem
Song: My Eternal Family
Theology: We read Chapter 24: The Sabbath Day from Gospel Principles
Scriptures: Luke 21
Book of Mormon Stories: Nephi breaks his bow and Nephi makes tools
Friend Article
Biography/American History: Read 2 chapters from Andrew Jackson: Young Patriot by George Edward Stanley from the Childhood of Famous Americans. These chapters are super long.
Literature: Read "Merchant of Venice," "As You Like It," and "A Winter's Tale" from Stories from Shakespeare by Usborne. We finished the book. The kids loved the stories!!!
Greek Myths: We read the first 10 stories out of D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths.
General Myths: We read the first 3 stories in The Usborne Book of Myths and Legends.
Read-a-loud: Read 4 chapters in Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Memorization: The books of the Old and New Testament, the books of The Book of Mormon and the 50 states of the USA.
Family History: Address to My Children by Heber C Kimball (a document written by him to his posterity shortly before he died)
Science: Read the entire book The Usborne Little Encyclopedia of Science.
Health: Importance of limiting TV/computer time from Eat Well and Keep Moving by Lillian Cheung.
PE: Played outside for two hours.
Science/Pet Care: Jared and Olivia each have a hamster that they are responsible for. They also take turns caring for our dog, cat and sea monkeys.
Service:
Family (in the evening):
Played at their friends house while we went to our classes.
To Show Parent Core/Love of Learner/Scholar here are some things we modeled to the children today...
Deanna: Scriptures, word of the day, finished Surprised by Joy by CS Lewis, studied the Greek alphabet, attended our first Greek class and we were suppose to start our first discussion on The Odyssey but we took to long talking about Greek that we didn't get to it. Fun Night!
Alex: Scriptures, word of the day, studied Greek, listened to The Odyssey and attended class with me.
Mom School
Pray/National Anthem
Song: My Eternal Family
Theology: We read Chapter 24: The Sabbath Day from Gospel Principles
Scriptures: Luke 21
Book of Mormon Stories: Nephi breaks his bow and Nephi makes tools
Friend Article
Biography/American History: Read 2 chapters from Andrew Jackson: Young Patriot by George Edward Stanley from the Childhood of Famous Americans. These chapters are super long.
Literature: Read "Merchant of Venice," "As You Like It," and "A Winter's Tale" from Stories from Shakespeare by Usborne. We finished the book. The kids loved the stories!!!
Greek Myths: We read the first 10 stories out of D'Aulaires Book of Greek Myths.
General Myths: We read the first 3 stories in The Usborne Book of Myths and Legends.
Read-a-loud: Read 4 chapters in Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder.
Memorization: The books of the Old and New Testament, the books of The Book of Mormon and the 50 states of the USA.
Family History: Address to My Children by Heber C Kimball (a document written by him to his posterity shortly before he died)
Science: Read the entire book The Usborne Little Encyclopedia of Science.
Health: Importance of limiting TV/computer time from Eat Well and Keep Moving by Lillian Cheung.
PE: Played outside for two hours.
Science/Pet Care: Jared and Olivia each have a hamster that they are responsible for. They also take turns caring for our dog, cat and sea monkeys.
Service:
Family (in the evening):
Played at their friends house while we went to our classes.
To Show Parent Core/Love of Learner/Scholar here are some things we modeled to the children today...
Deanna: Scriptures, word of the day, finished Surprised by Joy by CS Lewis, studied the Greek alphabet, attended our first Greek class and we were suppose to start our first discussion on The Odyssey but we took to long talking about Greek that we didn't get to it. Fun Night!
Alex: Scriptures, word of the day, studied Greek, listened to The Odyssey and attended class with me.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Quotes
Jared, "I love Greek Myths. Will you find more books to read to us?"
Jared, "I love Shakespeare. Can you read some to us today?"
Luke, "Mom. Do you see that cloud? That looks like Zeus throwing thunderbolts down to earth."
Jared, "I love Shakespeare. Can you read some to us today?"
Luke, "Mom. Do you see that cloud? That looks like Zeus throwing thunderbolts down to earth."
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
03/11/09 (Wed): Scholar Class
Mom School
Pray/Pledge
Song : My Eternal Family
Theology: Chapter 22: The Gifts of the Spirit from Gospel Principles.
Scriptures: Luke 17
Book of Mormon Stories: Tree of Life
Friend Article
Biography/American History: Read 1 chapter from Andrew Jackson: Young Patriot by George Edward Stanley from the Childhood of Famous Americans series.
Literature: "Midsummer Night's Dream" from Stories from Shakespeare by Usborne.
Memorization: Books of the Old Testament
Family History: Read a biography of William Newell Holway written by his grandson.
World History: We read The Trojan Horse: How the Greeks Won the War by Emilly Little.
Geography: Turkey
Science: Finished the book Questions and Answers Animal World: Explore the Living Planet by Capella.
Science/Pet Care: Jared and Olivia each have a hamster that they are responsible for. They also take turns caring for our dog, cat and sea monkeys.
Olivia
Religion: Read a chapter in The Book of Mormon.
Math: Lesson 112 from Saxon 6/5
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Language Arts: Verbs from Easy Grammar
Creative Writing: Edited and finished her essay about the person she would most like to meet.
Vocabulary: Peterson's Word of the Day- MERITORIOUS
Vocabulary/Language Usage: Root words lesson
Literature: Read Walden for over 2 hours.
Greeks: Practiced the Greek alphabet.
Computers/Typing: Typing her essays.
Scholar Class: Had her first class. She is discussing Walden. She really likes it. She will have weekly assignment too.
Research: Looked up information on Wikipedia about Thoreau. Did you know that his dad was a pencil maker? Who knew?
Jared
Religion: Read a chapter from his New Testament Reader.
Music: Practiced his piano lesson.
Math: Story problems lesson from Singapore 3B,
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code.
Book on Tape: Life for Jared has now stopped. He listened to Brisingr all afternoon.
Luke
Religion: Read a chapter in The Book of Mormon Reader.
Music: Practiced his piano lesson.
Math: Did a Saxon Math 2 lesson.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code.
Creative Writing: Worked on his story.
Book on Tape: He listened to Brisingr for several hours but not as much as Jared.
Caleb
Math: Did a math workbook page with the abacus.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 3 pages of Explode the Code
Creative Play: He played with the K'Nex blocks a lot today.
Science: We "read" DK Pockets: Animals of the World. It had 491pages and he looked at every single one. It took him a while. It certainly kept him occupied during Olivia's scholar class.
PE: Had a golf rules/verbiage lesson while he watched Alex play Wii Golf.
Family (in the evening):
Horse Riding
Finished their Pinewood Derby cars.
Luke 18
To Show Parent Core/Love of Learner/Scholar here are some things we modeled to the children today...
Deanna: Scriptures, journal, conference talk, word of the day, went to a singing practice for our musical number, practiced the organ, participated in the scholar class about Walden (I'm glad I read that book in January!), practiced the Greek alphabet, studied for my BYU Geography class and read 2 chapters in Surprised by Joy by CS Lewis.
Alex: Scriptures, word of the day, scriptures, went to work, listened to The Odyssey by Homer, took the kids horseback riding, helped them finish their derby cars and played Wii fitness and Wii Golf while he waited for me to finish this post.
Pray/Pledge
Song : My Eternal Family
Theology: Chapter 22: The Gifts of the Spirit from Gospel Principles.
Scriptures: Luke 17
Book of Mormon Stories: Tree of Life
Friend Article
Biography/American History: Read 1 chapter from Andrew Jackson: Young Patriot by George Edward Stanley from the Childhood of Famous Americans series.
Literature: "Midsummer Night's Dream" from Stories from Shakespeare by Usborne.
Memorization: Books of the Old Testament
Family History: Read a biography of William Newell Holway written by his grandson.
World History: We read The Trojan Horse: How the Greeks Won the War by Emilly Little.
Geography: Turkey
Science: Finished the book Questions and Answers Animal World: Explore the Living Planet by Capella.
Science/Pet Care: Jared and Olivia each have a hamster that they are responsible for. They also take turns caring for our dog, cat and sea monkeys.
Olivia
Religion: Read a chapter in The Book of Mormon.
Math: Lesson 112 from Saxon 6/5
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Language Arts: Verbs from Easy Grammar
Creative Writing: Edited and finished her essay about the person she would most like to meet.
Vocabulary: Peterson's Word of the Day- MERITORIOUS
Vocabulary/Language Usage: Root words lesson
Literature: Read Walden for over 2 hours.
Greeks: Practiced the Greek alphabet.
Computers/Typing: Typing her essays.
Scholar Class: Had her first class. She is discussing Walden. She really likes it. She will have weekly assignment too.
Research: Looked up information on Wikipedia about Thoreau. Did you know that his dad was a pencil maker? Who knew?
Jared
Religion: Read a chapter from his New Testament Reader.
Music: Practiced his piano lesson.
Math: Story problems lesson from Singapore 3B,
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code.
Book on Tape: Life for Jared has now stopped. He listened to Brisingr all afternoon.
Luke
Religion: Read a chapter in The Book of Mormon Reader.
Music: Practiced his piano lesson.
Math: Did a Saxon Math 2 lesson.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code.
Creative Writing: Worked on his story.
Book on Tape: He listened to Brisingr for several hours but not as much as Jared.
Caleb
Math: Did a math workbook page with the abacus.
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 3 pages of Explode the Code
Creative Play: He played with the K'Nex blocks a lot today.
Science: We "read" DK Pockets: Animals of the World. It had 491pages and he looked at every single one. It took him a while. It certainly kept him occupied during Olivia's scholar class.
PE: Had a golf rules/verbiage lesson while he watched Alex play Wii Golf.
Family (in the evening):
Horse Riding
Finished their Pinewood Derby cars.
Luke 18
To Show Parent Core/Love of Learner/Scholar here are some things we modeled to the children today...
Deanna: Scriptures, journal, conference talk, word of the day, went to a singing practice for our musical number, practiced the organ, participated in the scholar class about Walden (I'm glad I read that book in January!), practiced the Greek alphabet, studied for my BYU Geography class and read 2 chapters in Surprised by Joy by CS Lewis.
Alex: Scriptures, word of the day, scriptures, went to work, listened to The Odyssey by Homer, took the kids horseback riding, helped them finish their derby cars and played Wii fitness and Wii Golf while he waited for me to finish this post.
Monday, March 9, 2009
02/09/09 (Mon): Social Day
Today, we took a break from the ordinary and had four boys over for the entire day. It was a lot of fun and I'm happy to say my friend is feeling better now that she had the whole day to sleep. The boys ages were 10, 5, 2 and 1. Olivia did a lot of mothering with the younger two. So no Mom School today, and I really let the kids do whatever they wanted. Oh! Our furnace is fixed now. Yeah. Warmth!
Olivia
Religion: Read one chapter in the Book of Mormon.
Music: Singing practice
Science Experiment: She planted tomato seeds and radish seeds today.
Math: Lesson 110
Language Arts: Verb tenses
Writing: She did an editing lesson from Editor in Chief.
Creative Writing: Worked on an essay on My Access.
Vocabulary: Peterson's Word of the Day- EXTOL
Vocabulary/Language Usage: Did a lesson on Greek root words.
Business: Helped me upload our latest Usborne book order on line.
Reading: Read NUMEROUS little kid books to the little boys.
Life Skills: Babysitting. She did a really good job playing and watching the little boys.
Economics: Olivia has some online investments through http://www.lendingclub.com/ and today she was changing some of them around.
Chores ( I don't know what I haven't been putting this down).
Jared
Religion: Read in the New Testament Reader.
Music: Had a piano lesson.
Creative Writing: Jared is writing a story! It's a miracle!!!! You have no idea!!!! He's finished 1 whole typed page on the computer. He has never wanted to write and so I have never pushed him to. See TJED works! Now he is wanting to write a story. Who would of thought???
Free Reading: Read 1 chapter in a book. He's also decided he's a reader! He wanted to read more, but he said he wanted to play with his friend today. Good social choice!
Social/Creative Play: Lot's of lego's, Wii, light saber duels and over all great fun.
PE: Ran/walked on the treadmill for 30 min.
Chores.
Luke
Religion: Read multiple chapters in The Book of Mormon Reader.
Creative Writing: Worked on his story on the computer.
Social/Creative Play: Lot's of lego's, Wii, light saber duels and over all great fun.
Chores
Caleb
I don't think he felt that well today. He was really whinny and he took a nap.
Art: Made stencil pictures.
Social/Creative Play: Lot's of lego's, Wii, light saber duels and over all great fun.
General Learning: Played Dora the Explorer on the Computer.
Character: Watched a Veggie Tales Movie.
Chores
Family (in the evening):
Family Home Evening: Watched the Twin Falls Temple Cultural Celebration Video.
Visited an elderly couple.
To Show Parent Core/Love of Learner/Scholar here are some things we modeled to the children today...
Deanna: (I left church yesterday with 3 music assignments. 1. Play the piano for a musical number 2. Sing in a 6 person musical number for the R.S. B-day celebration and 3. Substitute on the organ for the first time in sacrament in two weeks). Scriptures, journal, word of the day, piano, singing, visiting 3 friends who were all sick and gave them some food-why are so many of my friends sick?, practiced the Greek alphabet, placed an Usborne order and read 3 chapters in the Odyssey by Homer.
Alex: Scriptures, word of the day, went to work, practiced the Greek alphabet, listened to The Iliad by Homer and fixed the garbage disposal. He's such a good and talented hubby.
Olivia
Religion: Read one chapter in the Book of Mormon.
Music: Singing practice
Science Experiment: She planted tomato seeds and radish seeds today.
Math: Lesson 110
Language Arts: Verb tenses
Writing: She did an editing lesson from Editor in Chief.
Creative Writing: Worked on an essay on My Access.
Vocabulary: Peterson's Word of the Day- EXTOL
Vocabulary/Language Usage: Did a lesson on Greek root words.
Business: Helped me upload our latest Usborne book order on line.
Reading: Read NUMEROUS little kid books to the little boys.
Life Skills: Babysitting. She did a really good job playing and watching the little boys.
Economics: Olivia has some online investments through http://www.lendingclub.com/ and today she was changing some of them around.
Chores ( I don't know what I haven't been putting this down).
Jared
Religion: Read in the New Testament Reader.
Music: Had a piano lesson.
Creative Writing: Jared is writing a story! It's a miracle!!!! You have no idea!!!! He's finished 1 whole typed page on the computer. He has never wanted to write and so I have never pushed him to. See TJED works! Now he is wanting to write a story. Who would of thought???
Free Reading: Read 1 chapter in a book. He's also decided he's a reader! He wanted to read more, but he said he wanted to play with his friend today. Good social choice!
Social/Creative Play: Lot's of lego's, Wii, light saber duels and over all great fun.
PE: Ran/walked on the treadmill for 30 min.
Chores.
Luke
Religion: Read multiple chapters in The Book of Mormon Reader.
Creative Writing: Worked on his story on the computer.
Social/Creative Play: Lot's of lego's, Wii, light saber duels and over all great fun.
Chores
Caleb
I don't think he felt that well today. He was really whinny and he took a nap.
Art: Made stencil pictures.
Social/Creative Play: Lot's of lego's, Wii, light saber duels and over all great fun.
General Learning: Played Dora the Explorer on the Computer.
Character: Watched a Veggie Tales Movie.
Chores
Family (in the evening):
Family Home Evening: Watched the Twin Falls Temple Cultural Celebration Video.
Visited an elderly couple.
To Show Parent Core/Love of Learner/Scholar here are some things we modeled to the children today...
Deanna: (I left church yesterday with 3 music assignments. 1. Play the piano for a musical number 2. Sing in a 6 person musical number for the R.S. B-day celebration and 3. Substitute on the organ for the first time in sacrament in two weeks). Scriptures, journal, word of the day, piano, singing, visiting 3 friends who were all sick and gave them some food-why are so many of my friends sick?, practiced the Greek alphabet, placed an Usborne order and read 3 chapters in the Odyssey by Homer.
Alex: Scriptures, word of the day, went to work, practiced the Greek alphabet, listened to The Iliad by Homer and fixed the garbage disposal. He's such a good and talented hubby.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Our Readers
TJEd says they'll choose to read classics some day. We are just suppose to inspire them and give them the tools they need. I'm happy to say the process is working in our home!Olivia (age 10) just finished Jane Eyre-her first real classic. And that's not a little book people! It's over 500 pages in small print written in early 1800 English. Way to go Olivia!
Jared (age 9) just finished Eragon-his first non-twaddle book. Yeah! It took him 2 months but he persevered. That was 497 pages to be exact.
Luke (age 8) just finished The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe-his first non-twaddle book also.
So take heart moms it'll work!
Friday, February 27, 2009
02/27/09: (Fri) And the Winner Is....
Today the older two kids went to work with their dad. The younger two stayed home and had mom school and did other things with me. Olivia submitted and won a writing contest for Southern Idaho 3rd-8th grade! Awesome job Olivia! There's also a picture of Luke doing his math. Can life get any better?
Caleb
Math: Counting
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 3 pages of Explode the Code
Geography: North, South, East and West
Family (in the evening): The kids went to a friends house and played while Alex and I went to our final book discussion on The Iliad by Homer. Moving on to The Odyssey now...
To Show Parent Core/Love of Learner/Scholar here are some things we modeled to the children today...
Deanna: Scriptures, journal, conference talk, brain storming for New Beginnings (the next thing on the list) spell drill, word of the day, read six chapters and finished The Iliad and attended the book review for it.
Alex: Scriptures, word of the day, read some Ensign articles, went to work, and set up for a Republican rally tomorrow.
Mom School
Pray, Pledge and Song
Book of Mormon Stories: The angel comes to Laman and Lemuel.
Friend Article Fairy Tales/Fables: The Three Little Pigs and Beauty and the Beast Retold by Louie Stowell (Usborne)
Character: Say Please, Louise! A cautionary tale by Phil Roxbee Cox (Usborne)
Music: Watched a taped copy of American Idol from this week. (Fast forward is the best!) We watched this in the late afternoon.
World History Fairy Tales: The Dragon Painter by Rosie Dickins (Usborne)
Science: Living in Space by Katie Daynes (Usborne)
Game: Sorry!
Pray, Pledge and Song
Book of Mormon Stories: The angel comes to Laman and Lemuel.
Friend Article Fairy Tales/Fables: The Three Little Pigs and Beauty and the Beast Retold by Louie Stowell (Usborne)
Character: Say Please, Louise! A cautionary tale by Phil Roxbee Cox (Usborne)
Music: Watched a taped copy of American Idol from this week. (Fast forward is the best!) We watched this in the late afternoon.
World History Fairy Tales: The Dragon Painter by Rosie Dickins (Usborne)
Science: Living in Space by Katie Daynes (Usborne)
Game: Sorry!
Olivia
Religion: Read 1 chapter in the Book of Mormon.
Music: Practiced for her vocal solo tomorrow!
Math: Lesson 108
Language Arts: Verbs
Creative Writing: Finished her essay, submitted it and won!
Vocabulary: Peterson's Word of the Day-Cantankerous
Free Reading: 1 hour of Jane Eyre
Life Skills: Went to work with her dad at a business office. She also set up for a big dinner tomorrow.
Jared
Religion: Read a chapter in the New Testament Reader.
Math: Story Problems lesson from Singapore Math
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code.
Free Reading: Read Tonight on the Titanic from The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne.
Religion: Read 1 chapter in the Book of Mormon.
Music: Practiced for her vocal solo tomorrow!
Math: Lesson 108
Language Arts: Verbs
Creative Writing: Finished her essay, submitted it and won!
Vocabulary: Peterson's Word of the Day-Cantankerous
Free Reading: 1 hour of Jane Eyre
Life Skills: Went to work with her dad at a business office. She also set up for a big dinner tomorrow.
Jared
Religion: Read a chapter in the New Testament Reader.
Math: Story Problems lesson from Singapore Math
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code.
Free Reading: Read Tonight on the Titanic from The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne.
Creative Play: Lego's
Life Skills: Went to work with his dad at a business office. He also set up for a big dinner tomorrow.
Life Skills: Went to work with his dad at a business office. He also set up for a big dinner tomorrow.
Luke
Math: Math lesson from Saxon 2
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code
Life Skills: French Toast
PE: 30 min of Wii sports
Creative Play: Lego's
Math: Math lesson from Saxon 2
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 5 pages of Explode the Code
Life Skills: French Toast
PE: 30 min of Wii sports
Creative Play: Lego's
Writing: Wrote a letter and colored a picture.
Caleb
Math: Counting
Spelling: 1 spell drill
Phonics/Handwriting: 3 pages of Explode the Code
Geography: North, South, East and West
Creative Writing: Drew a picture of his neighborhood. (From a writing course assignment suggestion. I really don't make my kids do these things they just do!)
Reading: Practiced his sight words.
Creative Play: Lego's
Reading: Practiced his sight words.
Creative Play: Lego's
Family (in the evening): The kids went to a friends house and played while Alex and I went to our final book discussion on The Iliad by Homer. Moving on to The Odyssey now...
To Show Parent Core/Love of Learner/Scholar here are some things we modeled to the children today...
Deanna: Scriptures, journal, conference talk, brain storming for New Beginnings (the next thing on the list) spell drill, word of the day, read six chapters and finished The Iliad and attended the book review for it.
Alex: Scriptures, word of the day, read some Ensign articles, went to work, and set up for a Republican rally tomorrow.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
You know you're a homeschooler when...
Today in cub scouts we were talking about America. (ABC's of America is the theme). We were playing American J-I-N-G-O which they all loved. This is just Bingo with questions to find out the picture. Anyway...one of the questions was about the Civil War and it mentioned in there that families fought against families. Most of the boys all started talking about some football players that played against each other. (If I understood them). However, Jared (my son) internalized it differently. He said, "Oh, I know like in Macbeth when Macbeth takes out his cousin Duncun. They were on different sides. Is that what you're talking about?"
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