Homeschooling for His Glory

We are still doing school at the Umandap's homeschool. Given that we were away for almost 4 weeks right in the middle of this first semester, I have a lot I want to have done before Christmas comes along. We are still running on a 4-day week schedule, but making progress. The plan is to do school until the 14th of December. So what have we been doing: History of course: We have tackled a 3-week study of South America with Tapestry of Grace. Zach also enjoys doing his president card activity very much and adding to his state map as we go along. Math: we have continued mastering long divisions. I think he's got it now since he can do a 3 digit divisor and 5 digits dividend almost without any problem. I started long divisions with Joho and it seems to be going well. English: We are finishing up Grammar Town, but since I find that the abrupt introduction of verbal phrases was too much, I am taking a break to teach Zach about the 3 verbal phrases (infinitive, gerund and

I think, thanks to the crew, that I have stumbled upon a gem. You see I love to sing, I have always sung, especially in choirs and bands. However, I have never been able to train my voice as I would have loved to, that is through formal training in a voice school. Well, I was finally given that chance through this last review product: Vocal Coach . What is Vocal Coach? Vocal Coach is a collection of vocal and singing training products produced by Christ and Carole Beatty, who have 40 years of experience in the field. Vocal Coach teaches " Good voice technique based on the knowledge that the voice is a physical, mechanical and acoustical instrument and that good foundations will equip you to sing any style you can honestly relate to." The program promises that " if you start replacing bad habits with good ones the good ones will start to take over.  As you apply Vocal Coach training your muscles will start to automatically become more efficient. It just happens.

CREATION SINGS Creation sings the Father's song;  He calls the sun to wake the dawn  And run the course of day  Till evening falls in crimson rays.  His fingerprints in flakes of snow,  His breath upon this spinning globe,  He charts the eagle's flight;  Commands the newborn baby's cry.       CHORUS  Hallelujah!  Let all creation stand and sing,    "Hallelujah!" Fill the earth with songs of worship;     Tell the wonders of creation's King.      Creation gazed upon His face;  The ageless One in time's embrace Unveiled the Father's plan  Of reconciling God and man.  A second Adam walked the earth,  Whose blameless life would break the curse,  Whose death would set us free  To live with Him eternally.     Creation longs for His return,  When Christ shall reign upon the earth;  The bitter wars that rage  Are birth pains of a coming age.  When He renews the land and sky,  All heav'

So, we are back from our vacation in the Philippines, visiting my hubby's family, and enjoying some rest and beaches. I thank God for smooth traveling and a good time over on the other side of the world. As some of you have already seen, Zach got a nice souvenir from his trip. Hopefully it will fade away eventually. The kids are still adjusting to the jetlag. We have been back for a week and they are still flat out by 6 or 7:00 PM every night, and up by 5 or 6 AM in the morning. I actually do not mind this schedule for them. It gives us quiet date-like evenings. Hubby and I are still adjusting too as we get pretty sleepy in the afternoon, but we are able to hold on and get a good night of sleep (at least I am). This week was all about unpacking (forgot to take a picture of the mess we created when we came back), tidying the house, do some grocery, laundry and getting some school done. I managed to fit in some Math, English, History, handwriting and spelling, not bad I thi

One of our last products on the review crew this year came from Grace and Truth Books . We were given a choice of one the many books that they carry, and I picked one for parents untitled: Your Child's Profession of Faith . I am very glad I did. This has been a very delightful and encouraging reading, as I was enjoying our family vacation this past month. What is Grace and Truth Books? Grace and Truth Books is an online Christian bookstore that strive to provide quality Christian books. Any Christian who is serious about his Christianity must have noticed that it is  has become harder and harder to find good quality Christian books in so called "christian bookstores", Grace and Truth Books has endeavored to correct that by gathering in their online bookstore Christian books that " . . . will glorify God, strengthen His people in their walk, and call all peoples to find joy in knowing His gospel and following Him." Grace and Truth is a family owned