First Month Down

Looking at my matrix calendar yesterday morning as I was marking off the day, I notice that it has been a solid month since we started our school year.  It seems to have flown by rather quickly and we have picked up a couple of more students along the way for a few of our classes.  My nieces have been participating in our science, history and bible lessons with us.  The girls are more than thrilled about having them here during the week.
Here is the sun collage they made at the end of the sun lesson in Apologia's Astronomy.

One month down, eight more to go!  Happy Labor Day to all!

Books...

Here are the books I'm reading:

Five Minds for the Future by Howard Gardner


The Happy Child: Confirming the Heart of Education by Steven Harrison


Savage Inequalities: Children in America's Schools by Jonathan Kozol


Up the Down Staircase by Bel Kaufman


Eistein Never Used Flashcards: How Our Children Really Learn - And Why They Need to Play More and Memorize Less by Kathy Hirah-Pasek & Roberta Michnick Golinkoff

Back To School Party

CHEC I had their Back To School party at Pump It Up!  Kids had a blast.  :)

Homeschool Year 2011/2012

We started our school year on 8/8/11.  So far, it has been the best school year yet.  We are moved into a bigger house so I have more room to teach and store school materials.  It's great! I changed up pretty much everything we have been doing this year with the exception of Math.

I'm still sticking with Miquon math.  Lily will continue Miquon throughout the rest of the school year, while Hannah will move onto Singapore math after the first semester.  In addition, I've added this free program call XtraMath.  It is a drilling website and only take about 5 minutes per day.  I have seen improvement on facts from both Hannah and Lily since starting.  I'm really liking what I see with the Math U See, plus it would take a little of the instruction planning time away for me.  I think it may be a definite for next year.

The other things that I have added to our curriculum this year is Daily Grams, Easy Grammar, Writing Strands, Apologia Astronomy, Abeka United States History, and a spelling program that was given to me.
Apologia is by far our favorite!  I wish I would have started with it sooner.

It took them about two weeks to get their "Aha" moment with Easy Grammar.  It seemed foreign to them at first.  I am happy with it.

I'm using the Abeka book for history because it is what I have and it delivers the American history through a Christian viewpoint.  They seem to enjoy it too.  Both Science and History have personalized notebooks.  The girls love those notebooks and are excited about drawing and writing about what they learn each day.  I alternate days for Science and History.

For reading, Lily is still using HOP and enjoys it much more than the Abeka phonics program that I started out with.  Hannah is reading the novel "Barbaro".


My School

I finally completed my 20 page vision paper for college.  I have to finish reading the five books I have and discuss them with the BAES mentor.  Then I have to make a powerpoint presentation and an annotated bibliography to go with my vision paper. My goal is to be graduated by October 31st!  I think I may have a chance if I just get my butt into gear with reading these books.  I will obtain my bachelors in education studies once graduation is complete.  :)

7 Years...

 Is how long she has been my ballerina.  I remember standing off stage watching her for the first time at Thalia Mara Hall dancing to Winnie the Pooh with her fluffy tutu that was almost as big as her.  

 I fought back tears then, watching her perform...

This year I could hardly see the dance because of the tears streaming from my eyes.  Oh how I will miss it.

Seems like yesterday...

Great Year for Lily

Lily ended her softball year with a bang this year.  Although, she was still "The Blue Angels" as with several years past, she has progressed greatly.  She is a very determined and focused player.  I can see many years in the making of softball. 

Toothless waiting on the game to start.  

Jade greeting the guests as they arrive to the last game.  

Look at the determination...

 

Warming up...

Swing..

A base hit with congrats from the coach. 

Ready to run...

She's so fast they will never catch her.  ;)

And she SLIDES IN SAFE!

In the dugout with a "That's right!" look on her face.  

Good game, good game...

 

Receiving her trophy.  They placed 2nd!

Group shot. What a great team!