100th day of school (back in January)

We always celebrate the 100th day of school. We like to dress if crazy clothes and count things by the hundred and even do some goofy hair dos. This was the day that Tristen started to feel yucky (little did we know it was the beginning of mono).


We found, counted and lined up 100 cars. Tally and Tyce grouped them into groups of ten. Even Tate had fun and participated. Poor Tristen was able to get up for the pictures and then...she was back in bed for almost 5 weeks of sickness. January and February were really long months for our family.

Go SCIENCE !!!!!!!!

We have been using a different science curriculum for school this winter and have really enjoyed it. I bought this book years ago and it has sat on our shelf since then. I like that I can read a lesson to the girls in about a half an hour while they take notes. Then we go over the questions and gather our supplies for any hands on activity. They are not really "experiments" but more like activities. Here Tally is making a FLOOD in a jar. Learning about what might have happened after Noah's flood.



This activity was learning about glaciers and ice. Good thing we had some snow to help out with this experiment. So far, we have only had one experiment not work out well. We tried to grow crystals and it just didn't work.

Most recently we have been studying earthquakes and volcanoes and tectonic plates. How timely that the huge earthquake in Japan is part of our current events so we have an example to talk about.

someone's learning math

He LOVES numbers...LOVES to write...LOVES the blocks...LOVES the video lesson...just not sure about listening to Mom as the teacher.

***sorry about the fuzzy photos...still learning my new camera***

Our 6th year of homeschooling

OK...so seriously...I have become a VERY BAD BLOGGER. I have spent so much time focussing on our new kids and new family dynamic, it is still at the bottom of the list. But I am trying...I will get back to it. But schooling 3-4 kiddos and all...it keeps me busy.

We are in full swing of our SIXTH year of home educating. WOW...how does the time fly by. It is going well and I try to keep some kind of a record here to show what we are doing each year. We have done about 40+ days of school so far.

Our curriculum (for the big kids) this year includes:

Spelling - Sequential Spelling
Handwriting - Handwriting Without Tears (focus on cursive again)
Grammar - Easy Grammar (Tally is trying to do 2 years worth this year)
Reading - Pathway Readers (Last year for Tally on these)
Bible - Precepts for kids - Names of God
History - Story of the World vol. 2 - Middle Ages
Science - Apologia - Botany
Math - MUS Epsilon (Tally is trying to do 1.5 years worth this year)

Extras -

Tissy takes an art class on Tuesdays (drawing)
Tally goes to an enrichment class on Thursdays t0 focus on hands on learning for science, art and life on a farm.
Both girls are taking Karate (working on their yellow belt)
We meet with another family a few times a month to do some learning together (focus on habitats this fall).
Fall field trips - pumpkin farm, old village, science center, park days, bird banding at the nature center

Tyce (our preschooler) is also homeschooling 2 days a week (Tues and Fridays).
Primer book for MUS - number and shape recognition
Reading - Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons (about 1/5 of the way through)
Handwriting - preschool book for HWT
Fall soccer at the Y
MDO (simple preschool) 2 days a week

recap on last years school

We are busy cleaning out the school room and reorganizing our supplies. Preparing a list of things to purchase and getting ready for the new school year. I love to sort and organize so this is always refreshing for me (and yet slightly depressing...we have so much junk to pitch out).

As I look back at our school year, it wasn't as unfruitful as I thought it had been. When I step back and look, we really did get a lot done. We studied ancient history. Began a science study on botany. Completed a whole years worth of grammar. Figured out fractions and Epsilon in Math U See. Not to mention reading, handwriting, thinking skills, spelling, phonics, nature studies, junior naturalists study on reptiles. We also participated in a Keepers group where the girls learned about baking, gardening, cake decorating, food preservation, first aid, library skills. They also joined the homeschool swim group and swam every week at our local rec center and have taken up Karate.

This summer we have done our girls friendship bible study and they are part of an American Girl club and are studying Kaya. We have also kept up with our math each week and spelling too. We have continued on with science and just yesterday spent time identifying a tree from its seed and leaves.

So, I guess it is good to stop. Look back. And see that we really did accomplish a lot last year. Even if it was a crazy year with adoption paperwork, getting our referral, traveling to Africa and adjusting to 2 new boys. Guess I should give myself a break. (wink wink)

home school tour of homes

This past weekend, I participated in a home school tour. Imagine a progressive dinner, but instead of eating a little bit of the meal at each home, you are checking out their school room. The director of our homeschool group thought of this idea and took the time to organize it. And I can only imagine all the behind the scenes energy it took to pull this off.

We had 2 groups of HS moms that traveled around to 6 different homes. At each home we learned a little bit about how they school their kids and how they set up their schooling space. It was a great variety of schooling styles and spaces. From schooling in the bonus room, to using the dining room or even the living room. I wasn't able to make it to the first 2 homes on the tour (I was waiting for the tour groups to arrive at my home).

One thing that I have learned from home education...each year it looks a little different...each year we need to adapt to our current circumstances.

So, for now, our school space looks a little like this. (I have posted pics before)
This is where the big kids sit to do their seat work. Just got these tables this year. LOVE them. I have a taller table and a shorter table for the little ones.

This is where I set out the trays for the little ones. I try to include a variety of activities. Fine motor, letters, counting, sorting, and something crafty.


I just moved this shelf into the school room to hold the tot supplies. Our bonus room has no closets, so ALL of our supplies are out all the time. This forces me to keep our things tidy and organized.

We only had 20 min. at each home. So I quickly sent the group out the door and onto the next home. The next stop was at Kim's home. She schools in the dining room. Here she laid out a some of her favorite curriculum.
Kim uses the workbox system. She lacks the space to have the bins, so she uses one hanging file box with different colors for each child.

Kim also shared one of her favorite tools that she uses as a mom is the Wise Words For Mom chart. I LOVE that chart and think it is worth checking out. You can order here.

Next stop was Tonya's home. She is the one who inspired me with making tools for the boys to play with. Her organization bins have me all but drooling...seriously...an organizers dream.
Notice that book cart in the corner? How cool is that???


Tonya also uses the workbox system. She has boxes for each of her older kids for their daily assignments. The other side also has 12 boxes.
This is her tot space. She puts out 9 trays each day for her younger boys. Love that little learning area. So cute.
Since Tonya schools in her living area/dining area (minus the table) she keeps her supplies in her laundry room (her handy hubby moved the washer and dryer up to the MBR). He closets are well labeled and full of great supplies.

Even her closets were inspiring. This is in her laundry room/pantry/school storage.

Tonya has great storage closets. This is under her stairs. It was like a teacher supply store in there. She gets lots of goodies as gifts from grandparents.The closet kept going if you peak inside. Tried not to covet her stuff. Just keeping it real here.


Last stop was at Terry's home. She is the one who pulled this whole thing off (great job Terry).
Terry schools her girls in their dining room. I loved how she said, even though it is the first thing when you see when you walk into their home...she said school is their life so why hide it? Great perspective.



Terry also uses the workbox system. Each girl has their own system and it looks so cute with cute colored bins.Terry has one of the BEST collection of books. I would rather find books off her shelf instead of the library. You can tell they love to read in their home. She uses Sonlight as their core curriculum. Notice their timeline around the top of the room. I think we all have thought about doing that...she is using homeschooling in the woods for the timeline figures.

This whole idea was such a good one...to get a peak into all these school rooms. Each home is different. Each family schools in their own way. I hope each participant came away encouraged and not overwhelmed. I am bummed that I missed the first 2 homes on the tour. I know Shelley and Jennifer had great things to show and share too. Maybe next time I can grab some pics.

Science Fair

About a month ago, the girls participated in a small science expo with some home school families. We participated in the history fair in the fall and had such a great time that we signed up to take part in this event too.

We planned ahead just a little more this time and were able to make a good display with lots of examples of all that we have learned. We decided to focus on BIRDS and BOTANY. We have studied both of those using the Apologia books and have enjoyed them so much. We are not done with our botany book and are still working on that, but it didn't stop us from showing what we have covered so far.
This is one of my favorite parts of home education. Watching our kids share what they have studied and learned. It was just so special to watch these girls let Tyce "play" at their science table.

I encouraged the girls to stand by their display to talk about their display with the kids and parents who came to visit their table.Here Tissy is explaining what we grew inside of our light huts. We brought LOTS of plants and flowers that the kids planted a few weeks back.


This was one of my favorite displays. This sweet girl made all of this on her own. Totally self directed. She has a passion for ROCKS. I know her mama was proud.


At this table our kids learned all about crayfish. They even brought some live ones. Notice ALL the BOYS hanging out there. What a fun thing to learn about.


This was a great display all about astronomy. I always enjoy looking through all the books this family brings.

This was a good display that was a variety of science. It was good to see you didn't have to only share one part of science. I loved the plants that they dug up and brought. It fit right in with our botany.

This was a great display from a family who uses NOEO for their science. We have also used that curriculum and have been really impressed with it. And it was great to discuss all they learned about germs.
This display was really sweet. This family shared all they learned about dandelions. They had great books and pictures and even some original art. All from a pre-K kid...impressive.

These girls had a terrific hands on experiment at their table. ALL the kids were interested in checking it out. The mama to these girls also organizes our home school group, she does a fantastic job of organizing and working so hard at having a group for our families to be part of.

more tot fun (AKA how I keep the little ones busy)

Here is Tate enjoying a big box of animals. We LOVE these Schleich animals. I thought they would make a fun tot tray.

This Rush Hour Jr. game is one of our favorites. Even though Tyce can't play the game, he is able to follow the card and set up the cars to match.
Tyce is learning to use scissors. It seems to be struggle for him so we are trying some creative things to cut. Here he is cutting up a string of beads.

More fine motor and letter learning. Putting gem stickers on letters.

Spring Has Sprung

We planted seeds for a science project a few weeks ago and I am now just getting these pictures up. I feel sooooooooooo behind in all my tasks and I can only steal a few moments a day to get these extra things done.
Tyson was so into this that he wanted his own set of seeds to grow. He LOVES flowers and plants. He has enjoyed watering his own flowers each day.


These hands on projects are some of my all time favorite ways to learn for school. I think the kids enjoy them and actually learn more when they get to do these kinds of experiments. It has been my goal to do more.

We are using the Apologia series for science and we are currently working on our Botany book. It is slow going, but we like it. I do love how it takes a strong creationist point of view.

Tiny Tots !!!

We are back into school after a small break this spring. A new challenge for us is having little ones take over our schooling space. So...instead of getting frustrated, we have decided to embrace these early learners.

I found some inspiration for having something for our tiny tots to do. I spent some time online coming up with creative and inspiring ideas for fine motor activities. This is all very new to the boys.

The idea is to have some organized activities for them to work with while I teach the girls. It has taken a little bit of getting used to our new routine, but it works well.I ordered a few basic supplies and we were set to go. I just needed a little boost to get my creative teacher juices flowing.

Here is Tyce sorting texture rings. He is using plastic tongs.


Here is Tate pushing beads into a can. Great fine motor skill builder.


Even the big kids like to work with hands on learning. Tissy is working on a phonics game.



This set of geometric shaped blocks are sure fun. I had no idea what I would do with them until they arrived from Oriental Trading. So far...they are tons of fun.

I love how these small balls fit into these paint trays.



Let's just say...I am just getting started. These activities are fun to put out onto the table and watch the kids (both big and little) explore. It seems to keep them entertained for a while.



Then...after a bit...Tate is done and he runs off to play.