Busy, BuSy, BUSY

Good evening! I hope all have enjoyed your holidays an are all doing well. I don't know about you, but from September through January, it feels like it's been one big blurr! But now, it's time to get back to our normal routine.

School is going well for Kiddo. He is excited that this is his last year and has even mentioned the word "college"....YIKES! For someone who puts up a fuss everyday when it comes to completing his assignments, it was quite a surprise. We'll just have to wait and see if he feels the same way in a few months.

We are focusing a lot lately on practical living skills that Kiddo will need when he decides to leave the nest and be out on his own. Some days I have a very hard time wanting to teach him things he will NEVER use in everyday life and just stick to the basics that he WILL need to succeed and function in society . Do any of you ever feel like that? Sometimes I just want to chuck it all in the trash can and forget about it! lol

I hope 2012 has started off to be an AMAZING YEAR for all of you.  For us, it has proved to be very interesting, however, I know that God has a plan for our family and we are very excited to see in what direction, our Heavenly Father leads us.

Praying that the new year brings you all much love, and our world much peace!

Spelling List Week 4

Sorry....forgot to post week 4's list!
Our spelling words can be found on WordlyWise3000.com ~ grade 12

Our spelling list for Week 4 was:

approbation
benighted
bourgeois
credo
empirical
eschew
expatiate
iconoclast
indigence
laudable
mandate
ostensible
recalcitrant
regurgitate
risible

Parts Of Speech Rhyme

Here’s a little rhyme — by David B. Tower & Benjamin F. Tweed —that teachers used in days gone by to help students learn the parts of speech.

Three little words you often see
Are ARTICLES: a, an, and the.

A NOUN‘s the name of anything,
As: school or garden, toy, or swing.

ADJECTIVES tell the kind of noun,
As: great, small, pretty, white, or brown.

VERBS tell of something being done:
To read, write, count, sing, jump, or run.

How things are done the ADVERBS tell,
As: slowly, quickly, badly, well.

CONJUNCTIONS join the words together,
As: men and women, wind or weather.

The PREPOSITION stands before
A noun as: in or through a door.

The INTERJECTION shows surprise
As: Oh, how pretty! Ah! how wise!

The whole are called the PARTS of SPEECH,
Which reading, writing, speaking teach.

What We're Working On Today

This morning we worked on some Life Skills - making breakfast and the PROPER way to do the dishes. LOL!   We just finished our Science lesson for today.  We are doing a unit on Fossils using "The Fossil Book: Wonders of Creation Series" by Dr. Gary Parker.  We purchased this set a few years ago and it has been an EXCELLENT Science resource, from a Biblical perspective.   Next week, we are going to make our own fossil dig using chicken bones and plaster of paris.....I can't wait!  Right now we are working on Vocab and Spelling now, then Consumer Math (budgeting).

In History, we will continue learning about The Homestead Act of 1862 and learning about life on the frontier.  A GREAT resource has been PBS' "Frontier House" that was made back in 2000. It's a great reality program that we thoroughly enjoy watching together as a family.  A great way to make learning FUN!

Going to take a break in a few with Kiddo....he's working hard today! WOO HOO!

Spelling List Week 3

Our spelling list for Week 3 was:

1. beneficent
2. amalgam
3. savant
4. flora
5. putative
6. ascetic
7. doyen
8. perennial
9. antediluvian
10. denizen
11. apothecary
12. obviate
13. nostrum
14. charlatan
15. imbibe

What We're Working On Today

Today we are learning about different forms of art and various artists. We found a site, Albright-Knox, that lets you play games to learn about them.  One form of art is called a collage.  We went to NGA Collage Kids where they can design their own collage using a huge selection of clip-art.

In Math, we are reviewing different ways to measure things, whether it be for length, weight, height of an object, and even being able to measure the height of a kite. COOL!  To do this, you need what is called an inclinometer. Below, you can see Kiddo with the one he just made.

If you'd like to join us and make one of your own, you can get a list of supplies and directions, HERE!

 

All I can think of  when I look at this pic is,
"AHOY, MATEY!"  LOL!

Spelling List Week 2

Our spelling list for Week 2 was:

Week 2
absolve
adumbrate
apothegm
aspersion
coadjutor
congenital
elan
germane
hiatus
immure
ineluctable
internecine
invoke
prototype
quadrennial

Spelling List Week 1

I forgot to post our spelling list for weeks 1 and 2 so I am posting them now, however I will list them separately.

Our spelling list for Week 1 was:

Week 1
acolyte
bibulous
coalesce
covert
declaim
delineate
demagogue
encomuim
obdurate
prescience
protagonist
sedulous
trenchant
utopia
valedictory

FREE On-line Resource I LOVE

We found this AWESOME and FREE Spelling/Math/History site that we are using in addition to our everyday curriculum.  It is called BigIQKids.com and we just LOVE IT!  The graphics are vivid and really catch your eye.  Kiddo likes using it, so it works for me!! 

I really like the Spelling/Vocabulary section because I have a choice of either using their word bank or using words of our own.  We are using WordlyWise3000 to coincide with this program.  After each lesson is completed, you earn coins, which you can them redeem on the game page.  AWESOME!!!!

Are you using a FREE on-line resource that you really like?  Please leave a comment and share it with us!  :> )

First Day Of School

Today is our first day back to school, indicating our summer break is now over.  I have decided to start out very slowly, putting our feet back into the waters, one step at a time.   I decided to start with the following today. . . . .

*Spelling and Vocabulary ~through WordlyWise3000.com

*US History ~ Watching the PBS Series "FRONTIER HOUSE" and doing a unit on The Homestead Act 1862

*Literature ~ Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe (study guide)

*Mathematics ~ Consumer Math (budgeting & time management)




 

So, Kiddo.......How do you think our first day went?

YAY. . . .It's Here

Kiddo's vocabulary book, that is!! WOO HOO!  We will use this in conjunction with their spelling program which you can find on-line HERE!

I absolutely LOVE their spelling lists!  They give you the word, the part of speech, use it in a sentence, AND even pronounce the word for you.  You can also play games the use your spelling words as well. 

WHAT'S NOT TO LOVE? 

What spelling vocabulary/spelling curriculum do you use?

I Changed My Mind

I have changed my mind (I'm allowed to, I'M THE MOM and THE TEACHER!) and decided to start school next Monday, the 12th. We have a LOT going on this week and I don't want our first week to be dodging bullets. So, we will enjoy another few days off and then jump back in the following Monday.

Have a great weekend!

On Monday. . . . .

. . . . .this will be us. At least that's what we're shooting for!

How about you?  When do you start school again or have you already started?

Famous Homeschoolers

Have you ever wondered about some of the famous people who have been homeschooled?  I know Kiddo and I have so we did a little search and this is some of what we found. . . . .

Each name has a link to information you can find about them at Wikipedia, plus books you can get about their life and work.  These would make great unit studies for your homeschool student or just make for interesting reading.

Abraham Lincoln -President Books about Abraham Lincoln
George Washington - President Books about George Washington
Andrew Wyeth - Painter Books about Andrew Wyeth
Bode Miller - Alpine Skier Books about Bode Miller
Ernst Mach - Austrian Physicist Books about Ernst Mach
Erwin Schroedinger - Austrian Nobel Prize Winning Physicist Books about Erwin Schroedinger
Queen Elizabeth II Books about Queen Elizabeth II
Rosa Parks - Civil Rights Activist Books about Rosa Parks
Sho Yano - Child Prodigy Books about Sho Yano
Susan LaFlesche Picotte - First American Indian Woman Physician Books about Susan LaFlesche Picotte
Thomas Edison - Inventor Books about Thomas Edison
Woodrow Wilson - President Books about Woodrow Wilson
Tim Tebow - Heisman Trophy Winner Books about Tim Tebow

This information was obtained at Homeschool-how-to.com

WOO HOO!

Well, we FINALLY were able to take our end of the year test. I have to be honest, for the first time, I was a little worried about what Kiddo's Math scores would be. This year he seemed more distracted than normal. During review, some of the concepts we learned were sometimes difficult for him to remember, but he plugged along anyway, even during his frustration.  His overall composite percentile score was 94%!  Way to go, Kiddo!

Skippy's parents are here so we are taking a couple of weeks off before we start getting into some light reading and handwriting.  We can't stay away from our studies too long or it's hard to get back into the swing off things.

So far we have not really done anything with our summer other than drive Bean back to Texas.  I am hoping to take Kiddo to the creek at some point this week to just kind of relax and unwind.  I wish Jacob from over at "A Pilgrims Journey" was closer.  I know they would have an AWESOME time together!

So, what have you been doing with your summer?  Do you continue any of your studies during the summer?  When do you plan to start school again? 

Homeschool Bed & Breakfast

"Jesus saith unto them, Come and dine"
John 21:12

One of my greatest pleasures as a homeschooling mom is being able to give my son a hot breakfast, along with a warm smile and "Good Morning" each day. My sense of nurturing was satisfied, as I watched his sleepy-eyed yawn turn into a happy smile. Pancakes, waffles, omelets with feta (cause feta makes everything beta, don't you know), french toast, oatmeal, and sometimes crumb cake :> ) gives him the necessary "brain boost" that is necessary for him to listen and learn his homeschooling lessons. But just as important as the nourishing of food to our bodies, is the encouragement and love expressed when the food is served with a hug and a kiss.

Jesus knew all about the encouragement that comes from a good, hot breakfast. In one of His appearances after His resurrection, he had a great breakfast cooking for the disciples after their long, hard night of failed fishing. In the twilight, the disciples didn't recognize Jesus at first when He asked about their catch, but when Christ performed a miracle and filled their empty net, John realized it was Jesus. How wonderful they must have felt to see their Lord again, as they shared a morning meal together!

Someday, the Lord will serve another important meal. Christ is coming back for everyone who has trusted in Him as Lord and Savior, and we will share in His kingdom forever.  

"And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb" (Revelation 19:9). 

I can only imagine the joy of fellowshipping with my Lord every morning and throughout eternity with the warmth of His love.   

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20).

"Jesus, how I long for the day of Your return! What indescribable joy there will be when I see You face to face! Use me to lead my children to You, so together we can experience Your love forever. In Your holy, loving name, Amen!"

The Fed-Up Homeschooler's Wish List

Coming To An End

It's hard to believe that this school year is quickly coming to a close.  We have had many days that we have had to take off, so we are working extra hard and unfortunately, doubling up on some things in order to get done in time. We haven't decided yet if we want to get started on next year during the summer so Kiddo will be able to graduate a bit early, or just take our time during his last year.  It's so hard to believe he will a senior in the fall.

I will be ordering his CAT soon, so we will be starting on our review, probably next week or so.  Pray that we will be able to get finished and be able to enjoy our summer withOUT having to work! 

So, when will all of you be ending for your summer break?  Will you be continuing any of your subjects throughout the summer?  Do you school year round?  I would love to know what you're doing!

World History and Languages

In our homeschool history curriculum, we are using "World History and Cultures in Christian Perspective" from A Beka Books and we just LOVE IT! We are currently studying The Middle East: Past and Present. We have been doing the succession of Empires and Isreal - The Land of Promise.

Today, we were talking about Language and Writing through the Ages. We were discussing the Egyptian, Semitic, Phoenician, Greek, Roman, and Hebrew languages, and how they were carried on throughout the world.

The Hebrew language was very interesting to us, so we decided to do a little Googling and these are some of the things we found:

**Some interesting facts about the Hebrew language:

Hebrew, a Semitic language, is one of the oldest languages in the world. Learning Hebrew can be fun, interesting, and challenging. Hebrew is known as the language of the Bible, and is the native language of Israel.

The language almost completely disappeared in everyday speech between the ninth and nineteenth centuries due to lack of use. While the language was used by Jews during prayer and Torah study, it was not commonly spoken outside of the home and synagogue. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, Zionists worked to restore the language, making modern Hebrew the official language of the newly formed State of Israel. Today, modern Hebrew somewhat resembles the Biblical variety, with subtle changes to allow the language to work in today's society.

People who are learning Hebrew often struggle with the fact that the language is written from right to left, rather than from left to right.

1. Over 7 million people worldwide speak Hebrew. The Hebrew alphabet consists of 22 characters. In the United States, there are over 200,000 native Hebrew speakers, as well as over 2 million non-native speakers.
   
   
2. The oldest examples of written Hebrew date back to between the 11th and 10th centuries BC. Most of the Old Testament in the Bible was written originally in Hebrew.
   
   
3. Today, Modern Hebrew is spoken by more people than speak traditional Hebrew. Hebrew is significant as a traditional and historical language for people of the Christian and Jewish faiths. It is also the origin of the Yiddish language spoken by many Jews in Eastern Europe.
   
   
4. The Hebrew language was traditionally spoken by people from Israel, the Gaza Strip, the WestBank, and other areas in the Middle East, according to Hebrew Language Miscellaneous Facts. It is spoken today by people all over the planet.
   
   
5. Hebrew is the language in which God first spoke to Adam in the Old Testament, per Genesis 2:16. In Genesis 5:21, where the descendants of Adam are listed, all of the names are Hebrew names through the time of Noah.

**We searched for "Steven in Hebrew" and found this....

My Hebrew Name is:


**To learn basic typing on the Israeli Hebrew Keyboard, click HERE!

**To hear the Lord's Prayer in Hebrew, please click HERE!

**To translate English/Hebrew, please click HERE!

We are truly enjoying learning about the Hebrew language and my decide to look into borrowing Rosetta Stone's Learning Hebrew from the library!

ברכות, מהבית שלנו לשלכם
(blessings, from our home to yours)~

Another On-line Math Resource

I just found another on-line math resource that I just LOVE! They have tutorials, worksheets, and games in just about everything starting Pre-K to College Calculus. AWESOME!

To visit OnlineMathLearning.Com and take a look , please click HERE!