Homeschooling for His Glory

It's been a while since I've done a weekly wrap-up, and I thought I should get back to it. Overall we had a good week. Here is a break down of what we did: Trips to the library Spent sometime outside. Played with Friends. We got to go on the subway via the bus and the boys were quite happy about that: The highlight of the week was the boy's new bunk bed, which we bought off some friends that are relocating. The boys were very excited about it. On the home front, I had a productive weeks with 4 loads of laundry, all folded up and put away, more cleaning, organizing and re-arranging. On the kitchen front , after a week of no cooking for various reasons, I was back in the kitchen with apple pie, breads, coffee cakes and the weekly pancakes. From the heart , I need to regroup as far as wake up time and devotion time is concerned. It needs to get back to an earlier time before school starts in another week, so as to start on a right foot. I guess that is going to be the chal...

Here is for another week of great links: Quick Tips for Perpetually Late, Disorganized, Stressed out Mom Travel the World from Your Dining Table A Secret to Scheduling Success A squidoo page on Playdoh: very instructive. I'm Bored Mom: Unplugged Play at Home 10 Ways to Motivate Your  Children Regarding their Schoolwork Nature Study for Wimps Simply Basic Homeschooling

We school in our dining room for all sit down work. We often read on the sofa or the bed, and do lots of projects off the floor. Here is in pictures how I arrange and organize all our school stuff. So, here we have our table, double-sided easel and different boards. This bookshelf has on top our curriculum and boxes for our version of the workbox system (I pull them for them when we start school every morning). The rest of the shelves have some of our school supplies and games.   It all need restocking, I have not gone shopping for back-to school yet. This bookshelf has more school supplies on the top shelf, under are other homeschool material that we do not use but might take out from time to time. At the bottom is their lego stuff and puzzles. Here we have our computer and paper station (this is also where I work and blog). Under  the small table , in the basket, is my home binder and the TOG binder. On the table are our papers and some folders. I also have 2 crates for our library...

Since my 2nd grader reads way above grade level, for this year I have decided to not buy any reading curriculum but just focus on actual reading. So I am compiling a reading list for him. He is starting on it already. A lot of it he will read while listening to the audiobook because he is not a big fiction book lover, he much rather reads fact books. As I mentioned before I will try to have him narrate some of the chapters, or the whole book to me. As well, I will use our history literature line up books from TOG to have him practice reading aloud. Zach's reading list for 2010-2011 Charlotte's Web Stuart Little The Little Prince Peter Pan When the Sidewalk Ends (repeat) The Courage of Sarah Noble Chronicles of Narnia The Hobbit The 3 Musketeers Robin Hood Robinson Crusoe Lancelot The Story of King Arthur Aladin Pilgrim's Progress (children's version) The adventures of Tom Sawyer (repeat) The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (repeat) Here is our starter list. Follow us as...

O Great God of Highest Heaven O great God of highest heaven Occupy my lowly heart Own it all and reign supreme Conquer every rebel power Let no vice or sin remain That resists Your holy war You have loved and purchased me Make me Yours forevermore I was blinded by my sin Had no ears to hear Your voice Did not know Your love within Had no taste for heaven’s joys Then Your Spirit gave me life Opened up Your Word to me Through the gospel of Your Son Gave me endless hope and peace Help me now to live a life That’s dependent on Your grace Keep my heart and guard my soul From the evils that I face You are worthy to be praised With my every thought and deed O great God of highest heaven Glorify Your Name through me Bob Kauflin © 2006 Sovereign Grace - Valley of Vision

After our very busy DVBS week (no pics to show as I was busy helping out), the kids had a fun day at a cottage by the lake. Let me not forget to wish my hubby a great Birthday: I love you lots . . . and praise the Lord for the blessing you are to me and the kids, and to lots of people too. May He continue to use you for His glory.

I am back with another week line up: Favorite Tips for Traveling with Young Children. Aiming 4 Simple has a great compilation of links on the topic of Summer Travel Tips to Keep Us (and the kids) Safe. Chalk Talk with Mama Jen What I Wish I knew Then 4 Ways to Bring Summer into Your Home Summer Fun for Homeschoolers Toilet Paper Architecture Building Your Home Library

I am not an inborn planner or scheduler but I have come to see the benefit of it all. I did take the time and effort to plan our school year last summer and last school year went pretty smoothly minus some changes then and there. So, again I am making the effort during the rest of our summer break time to plan our next school year. You can see our curriculum line  up on the curriculum page on the blog. So far I have made up a daily routine and a weekly school schedule . School_daily Routine - 10-11 School Weekly Schedule 10 11 and School Weekly Schedule-10-11 #2 (since the second part did not show up). My next project on which I am now working on, is our yearly school schedule which will contain all of what I am planning to cover in the different subjects according to the book I am using for that subject. I am first doing it by subject, then will transfer it into one document.

Some composting in mamy’s garden: More beach: Oh the fishes Some Uno playing And more beach: More soccer playing: More visiting: Some reading for 3rd granMa: Fun with friends