Drive Through History

I am sooooo EXCITED! Our "DRIVE THROUGH HISTORY" dvd's arrived over the weekend and we just can't wait to get started. Kiddo really enjoyed the introduction segment we watched on Saturday. PLUS, you can download printable discussion guides and answer keys. Now that makes me one HAPPY MAMMA! :> )

Here's a little clip from their web-page:

Drive Thru History: 2009 American History Promo from ColdWater Media on Vimeo.

Spelling and Vocabulary - Book 11 Lesson 4

Last week's spelling test grade: 86%

Here is our spelling and vocab list for week 4:

1. autonomy (n) The quality or state of being self-governing; independence

2. circumspect (adj) Cautious and prudent; heedful of consequences

3. composure (n) Calmness of mind or bearing; self-control

4. edifice (n) 1. A large, imposing structure or building 2. A complex structure or system built up over time, as if it were a real building

5. ensconce (v) To settle or place securely or snugly

6. environs (n) The area adjoining or surrounding a place

7. hapless (adj) Marked by the absence of good luck; unfortunate

8. heinous (adj) Shockingly evil or wicked

9. incognito (adj) With one’s identity concealed; unrecognized

10. indoctrinate (v) 1. To teach or train in the fundamentals 2. To instill or teach from a partisan point of view

11. interim (n) An interval of time between events

12. mausoleum (n) A large and impressive tomb

13. pillage (v) To rob and plunder

14. vibrant (adj) 1. Full of life or vigor 2. Bright or vivid 3. Quivering or vibrating

15. reverie (n) The condition of being lost in thought 2. A daydream

Spelling and Vocabulary - Book 11 Lesson 3

Friday's spelling test: 93%

Here is our spelling and vocab list for week 3:

1. atrophy (n) The power to bring about the desired result; effectiveness

2. efficacy (n) The power to bring about the desired result; effectiveness

3. emolument (n) Salary or fees for work done; compensation

4. icon (n) 1. A religious painting, especially one revered by the Eastern Christian churches 2. A symbol or image whose form suggests its meaning 3. One who is idolized

5. incipient (adj) Beginning to exist or appear; in the first stage

6. inculcate (v) To impress upon or teach by frequent repetition

7. inestimable (adj) Too valuable or great to be measured

8. lackluster (adj) Lacking brightness or vitality; without spirit or enthusiasm

9. martinet (n) A strict disciplinarian

10. prodigious (adj) 1. Extremely large in bulk, quantity, or degree 2. Causing amazement or wonder

11. regimen (n) A regulated program, especially one designed to improve or maintain health

12. stellar (adj) 1. Of or related to a star 2. Outstanding or brilliant

13. stoic (n) One seemingly indifferent to pleasure or pain

14. vibrant (adj) 1. Full of life or vigor 2. Bright or vivid 3. Quivering or vibrating

15. zealous (adj) Very enthusiastic; fervent; passionate on behalf of someone or something

Science

Skippy bought these Master of Creation science books at our church awhile back and I was able to find the on-line study guides for them HERE, as well as order the paper guides as well.

They are just AMAZING so I decided to use them completely for science this year, adding in some experiments and videos from time to time. We are currently working in the Oceans book learning about Marine Life.

What are you using for your science curriculum?

Homeschool Complaints

"Do all things without murmurings and disputings!"
Philippians 2:14

I found this devotional from Daily Focus in my e-mail and thought, WOW.....are they talking about us? Have they hidden a video camera in our house somewhere?

Is your homeschool infected with the whining disease? Like the early stages of most health problems, you may not recognize its symptoms at first. When assigning schoolwork, especially in your child's least favorite subject, this dreaded disease usually starts with an exasperated sigh. Next, it spreads into a short question such as, "Do I have to do this assignment?" If not diagnosed and treated early, the whining disease finally takes over your homeschool completely until you hear things like, "Why do I always have so much schoolwork to do? I don't want to do this!" Oh, I have heard these words more times than I would like to count!

Whining, grumbling, murmuring, and complaining all stem from the same, sinful problem — rebellion. In Numbers 12, God reveals His attitude toward this deadly disease when dealing with the murmuring of Miriam and Aaron. Thinking they knew better than their brother, Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses and said, "Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us" (Numbers 12:2b)? God heard their whining and quickly applied His cure. Calling all three to the tent of meeting, He defended Moses' leadership and struck Miriam with leprosy for seven days. Are you allowing a whining, rebellious spirit in your homeschool? Unfortunately, children are not the only ones who can become infected with this disease. Parents, too, can find themselves easily complaining to God about the sacrifice and work responsibilities involved with homeschooling. Don't allow a negative spirit to destroy your homeschool family. Like Aaron, confess your foolish complaints. Pray for the joy of homeschooling to be restored in your home.

Father, forgive me for murmuring against Your plan for our family. Teach me to treasure each day with my children and give me a thankful heart for both the blessings and responsibilities of homeschooling. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Another Ten Minutes, Please!

One of the many blessings of homeschooling is that on those mornings where you just want to sleep in another ten minutes (or another 2 hours).....it can actually happen!

Spelling and Vocabulary - Book 11 Lesson 2

Friday's spelling test: 100% AWESOME! :> )

Here is our spelling and vocab list for week 2:

1. accoutrements (n) Equipment or accessories

2. aggrieved (adj) Feeling or expressing a sense of injustice, injury, or offense

3. choleric (adj) Easily angered; quick-tempered

4. comport (v) 1. To behave or conduct oneself 2. To be in accord or agreement. Used with with

5. disconcert (v) To disrupt the self-possession or confidence of; to perturb or fluster

6. fauna (n) Animals of a region or period, considered as a whole

7. interpose (v) To place or come between; to intervene or interrupt

8. maraud (v) To roam in search of plunder

9. modicum (n) A small amount

10. opulent (adj) Having or exhibiting great wealth or abundance

11. patrician (n) A member of the nobility

12. phlegmatic (adj) Not given to action or reaction; sluggish or calm in temperament

13. propensity (n) A natural inclination or tendency

14. therapeutic (adj) Relating to the treatment of a disease; contributing to general well-being

15. utilitarian (adj) Relating to usefulness rather than beauty; practical

Spelling and Vocabulary - Book 11 Lesson 1

For spelling we are using WORDLY WISE 300, Book 11. WW is great because it shows you the correct pronunciation of each word, shows you the part of speech, defines it, and then uses it in a sentence. They also have games to go with each lesson; Battleship and crossword puzzles.
I LOVE IT!

Here is our spelling and vocab list from last week....sorry I am late in getting these posted!

1. apocryphal (adj) Of dubious authenticity or origin; spurious

2. arcane (adj) Understood by only a few; mysterious

3. convene (v) 1. To summon or cause to assemble 2. To gather or assemble; to meet formally

4. expedient (adj) 1. Useful for some purpose; convenient 2. Concerned primarily or exclusively with serving one’s own interests. (n) A means employed to bring about a certain result

5. exude (v) 1. To flow out slowly; to ooze or emit 2. To give forth; to exhibit in abundance

6. gesticulate (v) To motion energetically with the body or limbs

7. imperturbable (adj) Calm and assured

8. increment (n) An increase, addition or gain, often by regular, consecutive amounts

9. levity (n) Excessive frivolity; a lack of seriousness; joking

10. mortify (v) To embarrass or humiliate

11. periphery (n) The area around the edges; the outermost part (adj) Relating to, involving, or forming an outer edge or boundary

12. raconteur (A French word now part of our vocabulary) (n) One who tells stories with skill and wit

13. reiterate (v) To say or do over again; to repeat

14. subterfuge (n) A deceptive scheme or strategy

15. vacillate (v) 1. To move back and forth from lack of balance; waver 2. To alternate indecisively between opinions or courses of action

One Week Down

Well, we have made it so far. One week down and PRAISE THE LORD, everything is going well. Today Kiddo had his first spelling test (I chose to continue with this), and he got all of them right. WOO HOO, Kiddo.....GREAT JOB! Next week we will be adding in Biblical History and Math, and then Creation Science a week or two after that.

I am really looking forward to this year. I am refreshed and renewed and feel I can take on anything that is thrown in our direction. THANK YOU, JESUS!

I am looking at our first field trip already to the Museum of American Frontier Culture. I just LOVE IT there. Skippy has a hard time getting me to leave! lol

I know Tiany over at "Social Savvy Mom" has taken some really great ones. Have you been on any yet? Where have you gone? Please leave a comment with a link. I'd love to come and visit!

BACK TO SCHOOL

Today was our first day back to school. We have really enjoyed our summer break, although the temps were scorching, but we are thoroughly now basking in the cooler days and looking forward to the fall!

We decided to start out slowly this year and ease our way back in a little at a time. Today we worked on spelling, using WORDLY WISE 3000, and reading his book of choice, Lemony Snicket's, "The Bad Beginning or, Orphans!" As you can see, Kiddo and Pheobe were enjoying their first day back!

Homeschool Links

My friend Renee over at "Glow Academy" has posted some FREE on-line textbook links for grades K-5. To check them out, please click on her button below!

COOL!

We found this zipper spider(aka black and yellow garden spider) in our front yard yesterday, near the porch. I really HATE spiders, but this one is just amazing!

This spider it has its own unique web, that may be more than two feet in diameter. At the center of the web, this spider makes a dense area of silk that often gives the appearance of a zipper or a zigzag bulk of silk.


Shortly after I took this picture, a fly got caught in its web. Here's a short video of it wrapping it up.