5 Days of Tips - Don't Lose Yourself

   

I'm an "all or nothing" kind of gal.   When I take on a task, I give it my all and don't quit until the task is complete, or until complete exhaustion hits, whichever comes first.   This is an admirable trait, but it's just a smidge away from being an addictive personality.   The fine line that the divides the two is often blurred.

Homeschooling truly is an all or nothing endeavor.  You are either going to do it with gusto, or you'll be looking for ways to get the school bus to stop at your house.  Let's face it, homeschooling with gusto takes time and energy.  Without even meaning to, it's quite easy to allow what you do to become who you are, or at least who you identify with.

How do you hold onto your own identity and successfully homeschool?   You have to be intentional.

1.   Find a hobby - I say this to my husband often, and he gives me the stink eye.  You need some kind of outlet that allows you to enjoy being you.  This may be reading (curriculum catalogs do not count as reading material), crafting (not to be confused with school projects) or gardening.    Even if you have a limited budget and limited time, you can find something that you enjoy that is all yours...and no that's not being selfish.
2.  Exercise - Gasp!  You may think you don't have time for this one, but really you just don't want to have time.   If it means getting up a little earlier and going for a quick walk around the block or putting on a DVD workout while the kids work independently, you really do need to move your body.   You'll have more energy and feel better about yourself, and you'll be setting a good example for the kidlets.
3.  Keep Your Friendships -  Believe it or not, there was a life before kids, and homeschooling.  I'll bet you have at least one or two friends who are from "back in the day".  Get together with those folks for coffee or bowling, or whatever you connected over.   Not everyone in your circle of friends needs to be in your co-op.
4. Stir Your Passion - Find (or remember) what it is that gets your motor running and find a way to get involved.   Become active in the causes that are dear to your heart.  Whatever it is that makes you furious, that is a problem you were created to solve.  Get involved!
5.  Be You - This one may seem redundant based on the overall topic of this article .  But make a concerted effort to be yourself.  You may be quirky, or funny or musical.  Do it.  Be the person you were created to be, pink hair and all!

Celebrate who you are!

 Linking up with 5 Days of Tips for Homeschool Parents. 

Memoria Press Literature Guide Set (TOS Review)

This post is a review of the 7th Grade Literature Guide Set from Memoria Press.  For this review I received both the teacher and student guide for Anne of Green Gables, The Trojan War, The Bronze Bow and the The Hobbit.

For this review, I had Olivia work through The Hobbit, because she's totally unfamiliar with the book and she's already read two of the other titles.   (We will be using the remaining three book studies over the summer spread between the two girls.)   Additionally, this is an extended family favorite and I thought it would help generate some great literary conversations, and I was right.

Olivia had seen snippets of the The Hobbit movie during visits with extended family, and she wasn't at all thrilled about this book choice at the beginning because, based on the movie, she was expecting a horror story.  However, when she read the introduction of J.R.R. Tolkien in the front of her student book, she instantly liked and connected with him because of his tour of duty during World War I.  She seemed to be very intrigued to learn that his writing became his method of escape from the horrors of war.   Once she began reading the book and studying it, she began to realize what a gem it really is, and that the book is SO much better than the movie.

I like the selections of vocabulary words and quotations for each chapter, both of which cause the student to have to pay attention as they read in order to answer the questions.    The comprehension questions give the reader a challenge, but aren't worded in a tricky way, so the student really does know what they are asking.   Discussion questions give the student and teacher/parent opportunity to see things that the other has picked up on, that they may have missed on their own.  The enrichment activities can be a bit more involved and time consuming, so we didn't do all of those activities during this particular review.  For example at the end of Chapter 9, the student is asked to rewrite the chapter if the characters had chosen a different path.   One of Olivia's favorite activities was deciphering message written in the Runic Alphabet.

In addition to the answers to the student study guide, the teacher guide also offers quizzes, maps and both a midterm and final exam.  Combined with the deep study of the book and characters, this completes a thorough study that should take 6-7 weeks to complete.   The student comes away with a much deeper understanding of not only the story line, but also the accompanying geography and a personal knowledge of each character.

Anne of Green Gables is set up similarly.  One of my favorite differences is that this study has "Expressions for Discussions" that allows the student to look into some of the wonderful expressions of the main characters, and we all know Anne is FULL of expression, grins.   There is also a supplemental reading section in the back of the student study guide that offers complimentary poetry from well known authors.  Additionally there is a scripture reference guide and Shakespearean reference guide as well.

The Trojan War follows the same general format, but does offer a pronunciation guide to help students work through some of those trickier words and names.  Likewise, The Bronze Bow follows the same format, but is a much shorter study (as it's a shorter book and easier read).   I'd suggest you use this as the first book in the series to get off on a good foot and get the student  used to the program before tackling the harder/longer books.

The completion of this four book literature guide set would give your student and excellent, full credit literature course for the year.

Be sure to read what other TOS Crew members thought of this product.

Logic of English (TOS Review)

This review will consist of the Essentials 2nd Edition program from Logic of English.  This product is a combination reading curriculum and spelling curriculum that can be taught to multiple levels at once, and is geared towards students ages 7 to adult.  As you can see, there was a lot of product in this review.

For this review I received the following items (the Essentials):

                  -Essentials 2 Teacher's Guide
                  -Essentials 2 Workbook
                  -Spelling Journal
                  -Phonogram Quick Reference Guide
                  -Basic Phonogram Cards
                  -Advanced Phonogram Cards
                  -Spelling Rule Cards
                  -Grammar Rule Cards
                  -Morpheme Cards Set 1
                  -Phonogram Game Cards: Blue
                  -Spelling Analysis Card 3
                  -Phonogram Game Tiles

The teacher's guide contains 621 pages of instruction, not including the index of spelling words and general index in the back of the book.   There are 15 lessons included in Volume 1, with each lesson being broken down into a  five day a week schedule.   Volume 2 (Lessons 16-30) is scheduled for release in January 2017.  Even though the lessons are scripted, I'll be honest here, and say that it took me several times of reading the first 47 pages to figure out how to use this program.  However, you do also have the option to purchase teacher training if you feel it's necessary.

The instruction manual is in full color with sidebar notes that give you teacher tips, optional practice ideas and spelling and grammar rules at your finger tips.   The first page of each lesson lists what  information will be included in that lesson, along with a materials list (flash cards, spelling rule cards, etc.).

The corresponding, consumable student workbook has worksheets, spelling practice lists, games and other helpful classwork to reinforce the daily lessons.   For example area 1.4 in lesson 1 has a corresponding 1.4 in the workbook so that you can easily see which page/pages to do as you go.   Likewise, the consumable spelling journal provides a system for students to collect, categorize and analyze troublesome words as they work towards mastery.  You can see sample lesson pages here.

While Essentials is a multi level reading, spelling, grammar and vocabulary curriculum, I used this product specifically with Lindsey for remedial spelling work.   She is a strong reader, but her spelling needs work.    After using the student placement test, I determined that we needed to focus our efforts on level B and C spelling and vocabulary.   We accomplished this by reading through and reviewing the items covered in each lesson while focusing on the "Spelling Analysis" aspect of the program.  We also spent extra time reviewing the phonogram, spelling and grammar rule cards.

Lindsey does better with hands on activities, so we incorporated her white board for the majority of our lessons.   This allowed her to write, and make corrections easily (and doodle on occasion, ahem).  The workbook and spelling journal go really well with the lessons and make it easy to keep track of where your student is and the new words they are mastering.  Truthfully though, for Lindsey's learning style this was not a really good fit.   While the lessons were very thorough, she was easily distracted, and a bit over whelmed by all the various cards.  

The complete Essentials 2nd Edition Volume 1 set can be purchased for $198.90.  If you have more than one student you can purchase individual Student Workbooks for $12.00, and Spelling Journal for $6.00.

Be sure to check out other reviews by the TOS Crew.

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5 Days of Tips - Enjoy the Journey

 

 

If there is one thing I could stress to homeschoolers, or parents in general, it would be to enjoy the journey.   Yes, parenting and homeschooling are highly demanding, but don't let the weightiness of importance turn this time into a burden.  Here are a few easy tips to add joy back into your homeschool.

1. Lighten Up - No I don't mean go on a diet, I mean lessen the school load.   Before you start throwing tomatoes at me, hear me out.   More doesn't always mean better.  If you put too much on your child's academic plate, they aren't going to be able to digest it all.  Sometimes it's better to leave them hungry for more, this gives them the opportunity to pursue interests and knowledge (just like they chase down snack foods after dinner).
   
2. Stop Comparing -   You are not Susie homemaker, or the Genius Baby Maker down the street, and your kids probably aren't Doogie Howser (google it).   It's ok.   I'll give you a startling revelation here....Susie homemaker shoves everything in the closet and under the bed right before you arrive at her house.   And Genius Baby Maker?  Well....just because her kids can spout off random facts and are fluent in Latin does not mean her kids are geniuses, it may just mean they are well programmed little robots, "Stepford Children" perhaps, (again, google it).
   
3. Take Up Drinking - TEA y'all, I meant tea.  Geez.   Seriously, you would be surprised how much a pot of tea and some clearance rack cookies add to the well being of your homeschool.   This little 15-30 minute little sanity break gives you and the kids an opportunity to unwind, chat and just enjoy each other's company.   You'd be amazed at what you can learn about your child over a cup of tea, or cocoa, or coffee if you must.
   
4. Get Dirty - Paint, craft, garden...do stuff that is not neat and tidy.  It may seem trivial, but just allowing kids (and yourself)  the liberty to do life outside the lines is so liberating.   If you're a neat freak, take baby steps if you must, keep a stash of old shirts to use as smocks.
   
5. Just Say No - This is HUGE!  People will assume that "just because you're home all day" you're available at the drop of a hat.   "No" is a complete sentence.  You will, on occasion, run into someone who insists on an explanation to accompany "no".   You do not have to indulge these people, however something like "I'm sorry, but homeschoolers are close kin to vampires and we can't be out in the sunlight" should suffice.

Yes, my suggestions are a bit tongue in cheek, but only a bit.  This time frame will soon be just a memory.  Hopefully those memories will be filled with color and laughter, but sometimes you have to determine to enjoy the journey, and find ways to make it enjoyable.

 

Linking up with 5 Days of Tips for Homeschool Parents.

Weekly Wrap Up - Happy Easter

The girls and I were happy to get the IDA program behind us.  There were some glitches (stray children running in the aisles and through the audience distracting the dancers for example, ahem).   Saturday's show was met with a spring snow event that made travel difficult.  None the less it's done now, thank goodness.

Saturday night we had our annual egg coloring fun with my brother.  Five dozen eggs later and we're all happy campers.  Check out my little "Cross-eyed" Minion in the lower left corner.  I crack myself up sometimes.

As I've mentioned before, science has been a real struggle for Olivia this year.   Come to find out, she just doesn't like all that scientific terminology.   This week she moved into her new anatomy unit and is doing really well and is actually enjoying her lessons.

Lindsey and I have been working through her Music Appreciation program, specifically studying George Handel.   To accompany her studies she's learning to play the Minuet during her piano time.

Here's a sneak peek at the latest review product to arrive at our doorstep.   The mailman is becoming a close friend, ahem.

 I pray that you have a wonderful time this weekend reflecting on what Easter (Resurrection Day) means for and to you.    You are loved so much that He gave His Son, because YOU were worth it!

Linking up with the Weekly Wrap Up!

Weekly Wrap Up - Stage Stress

We're slowing wrapping up our year over here.  Both girls finished language arts this week, and Lindsey finished up her science.  This leaves them both with only Latin, spelling and math daily; and Olivia still has science. I'm predicting the end of April as the end of our school year, although we have quite a few reviews going on right now that are slowing us down a bit.

International Dance Acclaim begins tonight, and the girls are starting to feel the pressure.   After  working for over 8 weeks to prepare, the instructor switched something on Monday, and that totally sent Olivia into a tail spin.  This change, combined with the fact that her partner dropped out caused a major break down early in the week.   She now has a new partner that she's not confident in, but at least she has a partner.   At this point, she's just wanting the performance to be over so she can move on.   Such is the life of a dancer I suppose.

Now that basketball is over, we threw volleyball into the mix this week.   The girls are both in the same league/group and have the funniest coach!    Lindsey is once again the shortest in the league, ahem.  However, she was happy to see that her sister is now one of the "shorter" girls, relatively speaking.
 
The weather was amazing this week with temperatures near 80.  The urge to get in the gardens and remove all the coverings from my plants was strong, but I withstood the temptation.   I'm very glad that I did as temperatures are supposed to plummet below 20 the next few days with SNOW in the forecast for Sunday!

Look what arrived at our house this week!   That's right, Music Appreciation, here we come!

Linking up with the Weekly Wrap Up!

Weekly Wrap Up - Feels Like Spring!

We've had 80 degree weather this week!  It's been simply amazing (as the humidity didn't come with the heat).   We were able to get outside and do a little yard work, and soak up some lovely sun.   The urge to start getting my flower beds cleaned out was strong, but I'm not convinced the cold is gone for good, so I opted to leave the coverings a bit longer.

The week was a bit scattered for us as we had dentist appoints Monday, a trip to a major medical center on Tuesday (I was just the driver, we're good) and an unexpected trip with my brother to look at land.    So we did get a lot done, but none of it involved using a camera to  document, ahem.

We have a little break in product reviewing the next little bit.  I do have two time intensive reviews we're working on and several on their way, but I won't be posting any until closer to the end of the month.   However if you're looking for a great way to teach your kids about the Resurrection, I highly recommend this week's review product.

Resurrection - Grapevine Studies Review

Linking up with the Weekly Wrap Up.

The Resurrection - Grapevine Studies (TOS Review)

The Resurrection (Multi-Level) from Grapevine Studies is a fun way to help your children to grasp Biblical truths in an engaging way.  For this review, I worked specifically with Lindsey, grade 5.

The premise behind Grapevine Studies is that by simplifying the artwork down to mere stick figures, even the artistically challenged can enhance their Bible study time.   The study is broken down into a four day a week schedule with Day 1 being Timeline Review (5-10 minutes); Day 2 is Lesson Page 1 (30-35 minutes), Day 3 is Lesson Page 2 (30-25 minutes); Day 4 is the Student Drawing Pages (5-15 minutes).

Supplies needed are minimal.  The teacher needs a Bible, Grapevine Studies Teacher Book, dry erase board, makers (8 colors) and a Bible dictionary.   The student needs a Bible, Grapevine Studies Student Book and colored pencils.   The variation in colored markers/pencils helps both the teacher and the student to be able to immediately understand who they are drawing and/or looking at based on the color.  For example, Jesus is drawn in purple each time.

The teacher book has step by step instructions, with teacher narratives written in green.  If you're not sure how to word the lesson, no worries, just read the green lines verbatim and you're good.  There is also a Lesson Goals and Key Points section so that the teacher can quickly review and see what is being covered. Also, memory verses for each key point are listed.   The teacher book also  has replicas of each student page, with correct stick figuring so that there's never any confusion as to what is drawn, where it's drawn or what color is to be used.   Final review questions and answers are also found in the back of the teacher book, along with any needed maps.   Sample lessons are available here.

Topical studies are available beginning with students as young as 3.  The ages 3 and up studies are traceable, so it allows the children to work on pencil grip and drawing straight lines and curves while learning Biblical truths.  Early elementary packages are geared towards ages 5-7 while, elementary packages are geared towards ages 7 and up.  Old and New Testament Overviews have five levels ranging from Pre-k - 7th/8th grade levels.

I love that the lessons are broken down into bite sited portions, with review questions at the end of each lesson and with stick figure reviewing worked in as well.  There is also place for the memory verse to be copied; and for the older student there's also room for personal study notes.  Lindsey, who is NOT artistically gifted, was happy that she could draw the scenes without feeling like hers wasn't "as good as" the sample or her sibling's work.

The photo above is Lindsey's beginning timeline from day one.  As the week goes on, the story is expounded on, with more drawing and scripture references for each segment of the story.  I had Lindsey look each of these up and read them aloud as we did the daily lessons (see photo below).

Interestingly enough, as many times as I have read the story of the Garden of Gethsemane, and even taught it in children's church, I had NEVER picked up on the fact that an angel came to Jesus in the garden to strengthen him.   Only through this study and our little stick figures did I pick up on that fact.  Please tell me I'm not the only one who has missed that tidbit all these years.   So, if you're asking yourself "do the kids really learn anything this way?"  Um, yeah, they do ,and so do parents.  Score!

I'd also like to add that Grapevine has GREAT customer service and each of their shipments receives specialized attention.   This is how our books were wrapped inside the box.   See what I mean?

All of the Grapevine Studies can be purchased either in e-format, or an actual physical book depending on your preference.  If you have more than one child, and a good printer it would probably be better for you to go the e-book route.  I personally am a real book kind of gal, so that's what I picked for this review.

Be sure to see what other TOS Crew members have to say about this product.
 
                              

Weekly Wrap Up - Hello March

March showed up blustery here in Virginia this week.   The winds have been wicked, but the sun has been shining a great deal.    The sunshine has prompted me to change out my garden flags, removing the winter look and replacing them with thoughts of spring.  I was hoping that I didn't just jinx us all!   We won't even mention blanket of snow that fell last night into this morning, ahem.

We're slowing finishing up various subjects in our academic year.  Geography and typing/keyboarding wrapped up, and Lindsey's science is almost done as well.  This is when we start to double up on other subjects to finish out the year early.  Pre-algebra is one that I don't think we'll be doubling up on though. 

We are in our next to last week of basketball.   Volleyball will be next on our agenda.   At ballet, the girls are preparing for their International Dance Acclaim program the weekend of March 18-19, and then it's full steam ahead to spring recital.  This year the studio is performing Alice in Wonderland.

Our homeschool group is having the annual talent show in April.   Olivia's ballet instructor is choreographing a dance to the Scottish version of Fight Song.  I'm hoping we pull this together and that I can get a video to share with you.

Here is a sneak peak at a new product that arrived this week for review.

In case you missed it, here are a few other posts that were on the blog this week:

The Beauty of White Space

Faith Builder's Bible Review

The Dragon and Raven Review 

Linking up withe the Weekly Wrap Up.

Heirloom Audio Productions -The Dragon and the Raven - (TOS Crew Review)

Have I mentioned that one of my children LOVE's the medieval period?  Well if I didn't, I should have, and The Dragon and the Raven Christian audio drama from Heirloom Audio Productions has been one of her favorite reviews to help me with. 

From the moment we opened the package, Olivia was chomping at the bit to listen to this audio production.  Remarkably her school work was completed in record time that day, ahem.  Once the standard afternoon pot of tea was ready, we started our adventure.

This audio theatre production consists of 2 CD's.  The two CD's have a combined time of 2 hours and 30 minutes.  Each CD is broken into incremental tracks, so if you can't listen to the whole thing, it is easy to find a stopping and starting place.  The first 2-3 minutes are slow paced, but then BAM, you are suddenly whisked away to the mid 800's as the Saxon's and Dane's battle it out.   The story, written by author G.A. Henty (1832-1902)  combines history, scripture, action and adventure into one thrilling audio drama.

The girls and I sat spell bound for the entire 2 and a half hours as we took in every word.   The actors and actresses were amazing, and their accents just wooed Olivia completely.   You'll recognize a few big name folks such as Brian Blessed, Sylvester McCoy, John Ryhs-Davies and John Bell.  The sound effects and background noises go perfectly with what's happening, while not overpowering or drowning out the story.   Lindsey was thrilled to pick up on the fact that their were Latin prayer's being used as well.  Both girls commented that it was as if they could see the whole thing in the mind as they were listening.   Lindsey was quick to say however that "you can't close your eyes during the battle scenes though, it doesn't help".

By the time my husband arrived home, the girls were anxious to tell him all about it, and then during and after dinner we ended up listening to the whole thing again.   He was very impressed with the content and the production itself, although he had a harder time understanding some of the accents and wording.  

We are now up to our eyeballs in books about King Alfred, the Dane's and Saxons and Norse gods.   This product has definitely ignited a new spark in both children, but especially my history lover.  The down loadable study guide also comes into play here as we work through the Listening Well, Thinking Further and Defining Words sections for each track.  The study guide also includes a Bible study based on the topics covered in the storyline, British information and a recipe for King Alfred Cakes, grins.

Olivia has already started asking if we can purchase the other productions, which include Under Drake's Flag, In Freedom's Cause  and With Lee In Virginia.   The 2 CD set can be purchased for $29.97 and includes a free study guide download, free MP3 soundtrack download and a printable copy of the inspirational verse (Proverbs 21:31).

If you are already thinking Christmas and/or birthday shopping, you can order a family four pack (which contains 4 copies of the CD's), study guide download, printable copy of the inspirational verse (Proverbs 21:31), MP3 soundtrack download, the original The Dragon and Raven e-book, unlimited access to the Live the Adventure e-newsletter, a printable promotion poster and a behind the scenes documentary for $99.97!

Other TOS Crew reviews can be read here.

The Beauty of White Space

As a writer, white space can be unnerving.   Looking at the blank page, or monitor as the case may be, can just make you feel so inadequate. What things do I have to say that can fill this page?   Will my words impact others for the good, or will they even know they’ve read the letters on the page?   Can I really put the depths of my heart into mere words for all to see? Some days, the words just.don’t.come.

When I first started scrapbooking I thought every page had to be a piece of art. Stunningly beautiful, telling stories with the photos and embellishments and all the stuff that IS scrapbooking.   I’d spend hours trying to get a single page to look just so, making sure there was no white space, because clearly that spoke of an unfinished layout.   Over time I’ve changed my mindset on this.   Now that I have two children’s lives to document, I have begun to embrace the white space, choosing rather to add little pops of color to contrast against the white space and draw the eye.

I’ve recently started to dabble in the world of art journaling.   I’m clearly out of my element here, because I have to draw and write and paint and…someone shoot me now.   I have an entire Pinterest board set aside specifically for art journaling.   As I look through these colorful, glitzy pins and see how others have swirled and collaged and layered, my mind seizes up with the fact that I can’t do all that.

But then…I see it. In all of those colorful journals and strikingly beautiful layouts, I see it. White space.   It is the white space that really makes the colors pop and become more noticeable. Even the tiniest amount of white space on a dazzling colorful page makes that page light up.

And, so it is with our lives.   It is the white space of our lives that make those red lipstick moments stand out.   It’s the white space of the 3am feedings and all night rocking with a sick child that illuminate the “Hi, Mom” when they find themselves in front of a TV camera.   It’s the white space of hours of late night prayer for a childless friend that shines into the pink and blue hues of a newborn layette years down the road. It is the white space of a listening ear and a nod of the head that bursts through to radiate the silvery hues of a widow as she talks about her lost love.

White space is not to be feared, it is a gift.   Embrace today’s white space in your life. Knowing that it is those ordinary days that give way to the sunrise of tomorrow.