Learning Mother

Shakespeare Link

2011-12-06T10:43:00.001-07:00

Two of my girls have a Shakespeare class and need to read, listen, and/or watch at least 17 plays. This is a useful link.
Listen to Shakespeare plays.

http://speak-the-speech.com/readings.htm

Health Links

2011-10-22T13:54:00.004-06:00

I watched a fascinating video titled "Food Matters" from Dr. Mercola's website a week ago. It was so good that I decided to take notes so that I could look some things up later. One of the things that was of interest to me was vitamin research from Andrew Saul. His website is doctoryourself.com. Lots of good information there. Be sure to read about ADD/ADHD on his site, it is a must read.

Here are a couple of articles about healing cavities:
treeoflifemothering.ning.com: this is a testimonial from a woman who had been a vegetarian for many years and ended up with tooth issues. She read Dr. Weston Price's book Nutrition and Physical Degeneration, specifically chapter 16 which recommends 1/2 teaspoon cod liver oil along with 1/2 teaspoon high vitamin butter oil three times per day to stop and reverse tooth decay. She also used Dr. Christopher's Tooth and Gum powder in place of toothpaste and essential oils (clove and cinnamon).
thehealthyhomeeconomist.com

Home Birth:
Home birth family handbook
Preparing for a home birth

History and Government Resources

2011-09-28T14:02:00.002-06:00

Family Heritage Series from Robert Welch University
This Nation free textbook, this website also has links to important historical documents and a fantastic library of information.

Maternity Clothes

2011-07-30T16:20:00.002-06:00

I found some cute maternity clothes links to share:

This one shows how to make any skirt into a maternity skirt. So cute!
This one shows how to refashion a men's shirt into a lovely shirred maternity top using elastic thread.
Wrap cardigan
Simple refashioned men's shirt using elastic. I love this one!
Maternity patterns
Peasant shirt
Lots of great ideas here at Polkanuts.

Montessori Grammar

2011-03-21T16:25:00.004-06:00

Homeschool Escapade check out the grammar links, lots of other great things too! Be sure to read her copyright.
Here is an example of how she uses the downloads.
Montessori For Everyone: Grammar part 1, part 2, part 3, part 4.

To buy:
Noun and verb introduction solids from Alison's Montessori
Grammar symbols solids with base

Educational Videos Online

2011-03-17T16:46:00.001-06:00

Khan Academy lots of math, science and some other things.
brainpop-this one costs, but has a free 5-day trial.

Emergency Preparedness Manual

2011-02-25T09:24:00.001-07:00

Here is a manual to help prepare for disasters. Read with a grain of salt.

President Benson speaking on education

2011-02-21T11:52:00.000-07:00

"I feel to warn you that one of the chief means of misleading our youth and destroying the family unit is our educational institutions. There is more than one reason why the Church is advising our youth to attend colleges close to their homes where institutes of religion are available. It gives the parents the opportunity to stay close to their children, and if they become alerted and informed, these parents can help expose the deceptions of men like Sigmund Freud, Charles Darwin, John Dewey, John Keynes and others. There are much worse things today that can happen to a child than not getting a full education. In fact, some of the worst things have happened to our children while attending colleges led by administrators who wink at subversion and amorality. Said Karl G. Maeser, "I would rather have my child exposed to smallpox, typhus fever, cholera or other malignant and deadly diseases than to the degrading influence of a corrupt teacher." (Ezra Taft Benson, The Teachings of Ezra Taft Benson, p. 307)

Scope and Sequence

2011-02-21T11:22:00.004-07:00

Use these as resources only:
UEN.org/core Utah Core
World Book
Abeka Scope and Sequence
Hillsdale Schools
Home Hearts How to use scope and sequences and other resources at the bottom.

I found the first couple chapters of Easy Homeschooling Techniques very effective in explaining how to make your own long-term and short-term goals and scope sequence.

Here is an excellent article by a homeschool mom about curing the scope and sequence syndrome.

Montessori Resources

2011-02-16T18:00:00.002-07:00

Kathryn Louis has several wonderful articles about teaching young children. This one is geared towards teaching children to write using Montessori methods and supplies. She recommends you start at about age 3 with metal insets, then move on to sandpaper letters, and then the moveable alphabet. She has more detail and much more at her website.

Basic Montessori: Learning Activities for Under Fives by David Gettman
Here is a great link to making sandpaper letters.

These are some great places to buy Montessori items:
Kids Advance Montessori KidsAdvance.com
For Small Hands The Red Letter Alphabet Book
Montessori Outlet

Natural Remedies

2011-01-31T20:47:00.001-07:00

EarthClinic.com This website has some great information for natural remedies!

New Resources for Homemade Gifts!

2010-12-22T08:41:00.001-07:00

In my search for original, fun, homemade gifts, I discovered the following websites with lots of great ideas!

http://www.thepompom.com/crafts_kids.html
I especially love the sweater animals (http://www.marthastewart.com/article/stuffed-animals-how-to?rsc=also_try), scrubby buddy, and the wall pockets. So cute!

http://www.tipjunkie.com/handmade-kidchristmas/
This one has cute elf slippers, a play stove using a rubbermaid container, handmade wooden dolls, a cozy car caddy, and many other cute ideas. Thanks Tip Junkie!

Black Apple Doll

2010-12-22T08:03:00.003-07:00

Ok, I just learned about these adorable dolls that are perfect for handicrafts and homemade gifts! I am so excited to make one! This doll originates with Emily Martin, you can find her store on Etsy or go to her website Inside a Black Apple (www.theblackapple.typepad.com). Thank you Emily for sharing your pattern and instructions 1, 2, 3 with us! Blogger is not working well for me right now, so I will paste the links below.

Original Martha Stewart page about Black Apple Dolls:
http://www.marthastewart.com/article/black-apple-doll?rsc=fav_Homepage_Homepage

Instruction page 1:
http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/pdfs/2008Q2/tvs_3128_031108_ba1.pdf

Instruction page 2:
http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/pdfs/2008Q2/tvs_3128_031108_ba2.pdf

Instruction page 3:
http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/pdfs/2008Q2/tvs_3128_031108_ba3.pdf

Pattern:
http://images.marthastewart.com/images/content/web/pdfs/2008Q2/tvs_3128_031108_dolltemplate1.pdf

Copy Books

2010-11-13T14:29:00.004-07:00

My family has been on the look out for nice copy books. I want something that they can write in, but that also has a place for a picture drawing. That way, they can notebook in it related to a specific subject, like history or science and have another one for copywork. Here is one that is expensive, but the right idea.

Eureka Lab Book Standard, right side only

Memorize the Living Christ

2010-11-09T09:47:00.000-07:00

http://www.bookofmormondiscovery.com/livingchrist.html

Christmas Ideas

2010-11-09T09:32:00.003-07:00

Are you looking for a great gift idea for your neighbors? Here are a few ideas.

Thanks to Andrea Urban, Heather Dorius, and Kim Kehrer for these great ideas.

Kim's Ideas:
Bubble gum balls countdown 12 days of Christmas
The parable of the Orange (buy orange slices or oranges)
Nail and poem of the Christmas symbols
"Soda" Delighted you are our neighbor
Bubble Gum tape- You measure up to be a great friend
Gold fish crackers- We "fish" you a merry christmas
Nuts- "there " nutt'in like a Great Neighbor. Merry Christmas
Bubbles or bubble bath- HOpe you holiday "bubbles" with fun
Homemade cookies- Homemade cookies and a happy heart.... Hope your
holiday is delightful from the start.
Kool- Aid Packets- Have a "Kool" Yule
Precious moments calendar count down
IBC Rootbeer Reindeer
Chips and Salsa- We wish you a "mexi Chip-mas" and Happy New Year

Here's link:
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/650206865/Many-merry-neighbor-Christmas-gift-ideas.html

Andrea:

Last year we did a fun thing. I had a poem that I delivered to neighbors
that invited them to a bonfire with hot cocoa and donuts. We borrowed a
fire barrel and put it in the driveway and we supplied the cups and hot
cocoa fixings and others brought donuts or cookies. The note also
instructed them to bring a can or two of food for the food bank. It was fun
and our counters (and hips) weren't cluttered with plates and plates of
sugary fattening treats.

Here's the poem:

*Dear Friends and Neighbors*

At Christmas time we like to give
to friends and neighbors dear,
but maybe we could think of those
less fortunate this year.

Instead of giving neighbor gifts
we'll fill the Food Bank's shelves. ...
Let's warm the hearts of those in need
like Santa's little elves.

As friends we'll join together
and bring food in cans galore,
non-perishables are very best
because of how they store.

Monday Night, December 14th
will be the time we meet,
from 6 - 7:30
it's cocoa, donuts & heat.

At the Urban home
is where we're going to be.
Dress up warm, we'll be outside
and bring the family.

But if you cannot make it -
no big deal, you see,
we'll still be glad to take your food
to the Food Bank charity!

Just drop it off on Andrea's porch
or Lottie’s porch will do,
up to a week beyond the date -
Merry Christmas to YOU!!!* *

Heather's Great Idea:

I have done this one a couple of times... I make batches of cookie dough, use a
cookie scoop and flash freeze them. (I have a killer recipe for Mint Chocolate
Brownie Cookies that freezes beautifully!) Then we put 1 dozen in a ziplock bag
and attach this poem I wrote:

Neighbors bring goodies all through the season,
But this year we thought, there ain't any reason...
That when the tree's down and festivities through
You still shouldn't enjoy a cookie or two!
So here is a bag of cookies of dough
To save for next year in January snows!
So bake 'um all up when you're feeling blue
And know that the Dorius' were thinkin' of you!

Things to make!

2010-11-03T13:23:00.001-06:00

I have found some super cute things to make for handicrafts. I hope you enjoy these links! There are some darling decorating ideas and practical sewing projects.

Sewing:
5 petal flower, this would be cute for a hair clip, pillow, or a place mat like she has at Ameroonie Designs. She has this tutorial at Ucreate for the place mats.
Wallet from Homemade Diva

Woodworking:
Be blocks from Not So Idle Hands.
Scrap wood projects from Ana White

Things to make!

2010-11-03T13:23:00.000-06:00

French Links

2010-10-26T11:27:00.001-06:00

Multilingual Fairy Tales from Librivox
All French works from Librivox

Russian Resources

2010-10-26T10:43:00.004-06:00

I have been looking for some more resources for teaching Russian in our home, especially audio. The following are some of the links.

Audio books, musics from Adopted from Russia
Ginormous list of Russian internet links
Aesop's Fables in Russian from Librivox
ruwikisource.com Aesop's fables to read in Russian

Multilingual Fairy Tales from Librivox, has the Princess and the Pea
Other Librivox works in Russian

Advanced Russian Research and Literature Studies from Intute

Some things we are using

2010-10-26T08:27:00.002-06:00

The Polyglot of the Book of Mormon
Spanishdict.com
Milestones Academy Year 4
Kindred Learning year 4

Math Links

2010-10-18T17:42:00.003-06:00

Math Games:
Arcademicskillbuilders.com Math Games
Sheppardsoftware.com Math Games; there are more games and activities too, just click on another category.

Math Worksheets:
Math Archive
Online Math Learning
AAA Math.com This is the link for sixth grade. There are links from k-8.

Timelines

2010-10-11T18:03:00.005-06:00

Here are some links to resources for timelines.
You can search for lots of timelines at TimeRime. TimeRime
Microsoft timeline template
USHistorysite.com
Awesome pictures from a blog. The blog is in another language, but still helpful.
Timeline with index cards
An article about timelines from Squidoo

Resources for learning Spanish

2010-09-22T08:12:00.001-06:00

Free:
http://www.123teachme.com/learn_spanish/spanish_for_children

Cost:
http://www.language-tree.com/spanish.html

Valedictorian Speaks Out!

2010-08-08T16:48:00.001-06:00

This is a remarkable speech by a valedictorian speaking out against institutionalized education. Something to think about!

Need an Idea for a Fieldtrip?

2010-08-05T16:10:00.001-06:00

Do you need a great fieldtrip? Here is a list of lots of museums to see in Utah from Utah.com!

Geography Game

2010-08-05T11:34:00.002-06:00

I just learned about this fantastic game, Seterra, that you can download for free. It's a geography game that will quiz you on different countries, capitals, other cities, etc, and it's really fun!

Download available here.

Hands-on Spelling or Beginning Reading Idea

2010-07-31T11:59:00.004-06:00

I came across such a cute idea for hands-on spelling or beginning reading. This idea is from FilthWizardry.com. Basically, you put letter stickers on duplo blocks and have your kids make words with them. I love it! I think I have given away all our duplo blocks, so I'm going to have to hit some yard sales!

More History Book Lists

2010-07-16T08:37:00.003-06:00

Pima County Public Library: historical fiction grouped by time period.
Keene Public Library: historical fiction books grouped by location.
Madison Public Library: lists of books according to 20th century wars.
Library Book Lists: historical fiction grouped according to general history, ancient history, medieval, North American/U.S. History, and Pirates.

Art

2010-03-11T11:39:00.001-07:00

Do you want a fantastic resource for art? Deep Space Sparkle has wonderful, age-grouped lessons tried and tested by a school art teacher. Check it out!

Food Preservation Link

2009-11-14T20:28:00.001-07:00

National Center for Home Food Preservation: this link has lots of information for canning, drying, and freezing food.

Free E-books

2009-11-08T20:38:00.003-07:00

Here are two e-books available from Deseret Book. There are others available too, just go to www.deseretbook.com/free.

Please Pass the Scriptures by John Hilton III
10 Secrets Wise Parents Know by Brent L Top and Bruce A Chadwick

Learning Songs

2009-11-08T11:25:00.002-07:00

Suzy Red's Music Room: Language Arts, Multiplication, Science, Social Studies, and other music links.

Grammar

2009-11-08T09:51:00.003-07:00

Grammar-land Book
English Grammar Lapbook from Hands of a Child
Another English Grammar Lapbook

Grammar Songs from Garden of Praise
Can Teach Poems
Songs for Teaching
Free Grammar Guide Some obnoxious ads. More information on the sidebar to click on.
Writing Program from The University of Chicago Grammar Resources
Grammar for Homeschool from Squidoo

Language Resources

2009-11-07T13:05:00.003-07:00

Studying languages is an important part of our humanities program in our homeschool. Charlotte Mason had children beginning learning languages from an early age. Here is a free resource available online to help study many languages.

Foreign Service Language Courses

Reader's Theater

2009-09-30T13:35:00.002-06:00

When looking for good scripts for reader's theater I have had success searching for "classroom reader's theater." These are some links I liked.
Giggle Poetry
TeachingHeart
Readers Theater

General Information: Reading Online

Math Games

2009-09-16T07:51:00.001-06:00

Mathplayground.com thinking blocks
Funbrain.com math baseball

Storytelling Link

2009-09-13T09:14:00.001-06:00

Here is a link to a list of activities to encourage your budding storytellers.

Science Fair Ideas

2009-09-13T08:45:00.002-06:00

Here is some info from Tara from WHEN that is helpful for choosing a science project.

If you need help choosing a project your child will enjoy go to:
http://www.sciencebuddies.org/

Their Topic Selection Wizard is a fantastic interactive set of questions
that recommends projects that your child might be interested in (based
on the answers to their questions).

Here are some other topics on the site:

* Over 900 Project Ideas to choose from!
* Topic Selection Wizard: Looking for a science fair project? The
Topic Selection Wizard will recommend a science fair project idea that
is just right for you.

* Science Fair Project Ideas Directory: Browse through a list of all
of our science fair project ideas organized by area of science.

* Science Fair Project Guide: A step by step guide to help you do a
science fair project.
* Ask an Expert: Our online bulletin board staffed by volunteer
scientists and top high school students ready to answer your science
fair project questions.
* Advanced Science Competitions: Tips and techniques to prepare for
an advanced science competition such as ISEF or Intel STS.

Homeschool Links

2009-08-15T16:36:00.001-06:00

Here is another homeschool website to explore:
Trivium Academy

Drama and Reader's Theater

2009-08-15T15:47:00.004-06:00

I have not checked these out yet, but wanted to make note of them.

Free:
Theater Words scroll down to plays for children
Web English Teacher Drama
Web English Teacher Reader's Theater
Monologue Archive Links

Low Cost:
Classic Acts

Homeschool Forms and Printables

2009-08-15T15:14:00.004-06:00

Workbox form from Single Parent Homeschool
Donna Young
Life is Not a Cereal
Homeschool Curriculum for Life

Shakespeare Scripts

2009-08-15T15:04:00.002-06:00

As You Like It (a little more than an hour)
More links for As You Like It

Writing

2009-08-15T14:52:00.002-06:00

Web English Teacher

Shakespeare Resources

2009-08-15T13:39:00.005-06:00

I am collecting ideas for costumes for our Shakespeare class.

Shakespeare in Costume

Here are some other Shakespeare sites:
Links from Bard.org
Shakespeare-online
Web English Teacher

Results of New Study Released

2009-08-13T08:40:00.002-06:00

Here is a link to news report stating that homeschoolers score 37 points higher on standardized tests than their public school counterparts. Another great reason to homeschool!

Government Videos on YouTube

2009-08-12T11:50:00.001-06:00

The American Form of Government
Overview of America Part 2
Overview of America Part 3
Overview of America Part 4

College and High School

2009-08-10T09:54:00.002-06:00

These are notes from my good friend Kim. She hosted a moms' meeting that I couldn't go to. This is information helpful for high school and college.

College Prep timeline:

http://utahmentor.com/planning/

Point of Contact: BYU
Nathan Louder
Admissions Advisor
Brigham Young University
A-209 ASB
(801) 422-2508

Traditional homeschooler with out any accredited credits needs:
BYU
4 year seminary certificate(can be institute, homestudy seminary or
traditional seminary)
ACT composite score above 28 for the year 2010
They weigh heavily once you pass those two hurdles upon Service,
Community and Church Involvement.
No portfolio
NO GPA
As early as 16 with a letter of intent and support from parents

Scholarships start with an
ACT comp 31 half year tuition
ACT comp 32 first year full tuition
ACT comp 33 4 year full tuition

There are two different 4 years scholarships a student can receive.
The first is the Heritage scholarship which is 4 years of full-
tuition. The second is the Monson Scholarship. All students who
qualify for the Heritage Scholarships will be reviewed for the Monson
Scholarship.

Dual Enrollment Homeschooler less than 15 accredited credits:
BYU
Seminary certificate - every year until the register at BYU.
3.4 G.P.A.
ACT 27
Community and Church Involvement.
No portfolio
As early as 16 with a letter of intent and support from parents
Dont fill out part 5 on application

Traditional Public Schooler 16 or more accredited credits:
BYU
3 year or 4 years Seminary Certificate based upon early graduation
ACT comp score of 28
GPA of 3.8
As early as 16 with a letter of intent and support from parents

Need:
Math- Algebra 1, Algebra 2, Trig, Calculus
Language/Writing
Foreign Language
Science (Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Astronomy)
Social Studies ( Geography. World Geography, US History, Us
Government, World History, US Constitution/ Citizenship)
Literature-Shakespe are, Classic, American Literature or Creative
writing
Arts- Drama, Dance, Watercolor, ?
PE Fit for LIfe, *Health, *2 sport classes
Computer
Typing Skills
Music Skills

Transfer Student someone who transfers after completing 30 or more
credit hours.
BYU
Average Age: 19
ACT – They don’t look at.
High School GPA – They don’t look at
College GPA – need a 3.65
Should attend institute.

Can apply online at besmart.com mid october for the upcoming year.
Application Due by Feb 1st.

Accredited means they are accepted by The Association of Colleges and
Schools-There are six different regions, and they each have their own
websites. I don’t know the websites, but the six regions are:
Middle States
New England
North Central
Northwest
Southern
Western

Locations to find accredidation:
BYU independent Study http://ce.byu.edu/is/site/
Liahona- accedited program only- be sure and check
NAHRS http://www.narhs.org/
High school credit packets through your school district:
Nebo: http://www.nebo.edu/landmark/Pages/independentstudy/independentstudy.html
Alpine: East shore high school http://www.eastshorehs.com/html/course_menu.html
801 227 2440 Orem, Utah
Open High School of Utah http://openhighschool.org/
Utah electronic High School http://www.schools.utah.gov/ehs/
Dual Enrollment through your local high school
American Leadership Academy

Rate my professor site for CE classes or any university classes Great
for UVU.

http://www.ratemyprofessors.com/SelectTeacher.jsp?sid=1584

Curriculum suggestions for High schoolers:

Well Trained Mind by Susan Wise Bauer
4 year plan by Teri Ebert http://www.kindredlearning.com/the-four-year-plan.php
Curriculum links: ( you will have to see if these are accredited)
http://www.hslda.org/highschool/curriculum.asp#CC

AP courses online:
http://www.hslda.org/highschool/curriculum.asp#advanced_placement

Community Involvement and Service opportunities:
http://www.unitedwayucv.org/org/opp/dir-A-1.html
local Library
Local Schools
local nursing homes

For proper accreditation I understand you need to have one place to
dump all your credits for a transcript. NAHRS would work really well
for this. I don't think the public school will allow you to dump on
them but worth asking. You just need a central location and goals to
strive for written out so you don't loose sight of it.

Scholarships outside of the university:
Regents scholars hip http://www.utahsbr.edu/acad01i.html
National Merit http://www.nationalmerit.org/nmsp.php
New Century http://www.utahnewcentury.org/
Centennial Scholarship for Early Graduation http://www.schools.utah.gov/curr/Early_College/Centennial.htm
Robert C Byrd Scholarship http://www.schools.utah.gov/curr/Early_College/Byrd.htm

Songs for teaching grammar

2009-08-06T09:21:00.000-06:00

Grammar Songs

Shakespeare for Children

2009-07-28T16:11:00.007-06:00

I love reading Shakespeare with my children! Here are some websites that have some good information and resources for teaching Shakespeare to Children. I am in a hurry, sorry it doesn't look more clean. I also recommend reading "Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire", there is an excellent section about performing a full play.

PBS Shakespeare Article
Folger Template
Squidoo Shakespeare for Children
Ambleside Online Shakespeare Rotation and Resources
Folger How to Prepare for Festival
Folger Shakespeare for Kids
Folger Play by Play
PBS Scrappy Scrapbook Handout
Lesson Tutor
Indiana Ed Shakespeare links
Shakespeare Palomar Ed
The Absolute Shakespeare

Looking Ahead: Composer Study 2009-10

2009-07-23T18:25:00.002-06:00

2009-2010 TERM 1 (This term's artist is Raphael) Music: 20th Century British
Listening selections for this term:
Ralph Vaughan Williams-Symphony 1
Ralph Vaughan Williams-Fantasia on Greensleeves
Ralph Vaughan Williams-Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis
Edward Elgar-Serenade for String Orchestra
Edward Elgar-Pomp and Circumstance
Edward Elgar-"Enigma" Variations

2009-2010 TERM 2 (This term's artist is John Singer-Sargent) Edvard Grieg (1890) & Jean Sibelius (nationalists)
Listening selections for this term:
Grieg Peer Gynt Suite no 1
Grieg Piano Concerto in A
Grieg Norwegian Dance no 2
Sibelius Finlandia
Sibelius Symphony 1 OR 2 (4 weeks)

2009-2010 TERM 3 (This term's artist is Monet) Maurice Ravel (1915) (Impressionist)
Listening selections for this term:
Daphne et Chloe - selections
Bolero
Mother Goose Suite
Pavane pour une infante dufunte
Piano Concerto in D for left hand
Rhapsody espagnole

Caramel Toffe Cookies

2009-07-23T17:57:00.003-06:00

I just might have an obsession. When I taste something delicious my mind is always trying to figure out how to re-create the recipe at home. For some time off and on, I have been trying to make the perfect home-made caramel/toffee cookies. We did a science experiment months ago with caramel and never got it quite right. Today I had an itching for this recipe again! After making my cookies and not being very satisfied with them, I went looking for some ideas online. Here they are for future experimentation:

Salty Peanut Butter Cookies with Toffee Peanut Caramel from Besotted Gourmet
How to Make Caramel from Life 123
Chocolate-almond Toffee from the Recipe Girl

School Report: February Week?

2009-04-06T09:35:00.000-06:00

Artist: Caspar David Friedrich
Composer: Franz Liszt
Extras: Amanda got her cast off this month! Writer's Club, Valentines Party, Bee Keeping Essays, Spelling Bee.
Scripture of the Week: Esther 4:14, Proverbs 3:5.
Greece Unit: STOW ch 18-20 (1/2 of 20); The Children's Homer.
Miles (Preschool): phonics flashcards.
Amanda (1st grade): Blue Bay Mystery Boxcar Children #6 (68 taking turns reading with mom), phonics readers (finished book 5 and half of 6); Island Story (ch 8), 50 Famous Stories Retold (Bruce and the Spider, The Black Douglas), Aesop (The Ants and the Grasshopper), Paddle to the Sea (ch. 19), Burgess Bird Book (Chipper and Tree Sparrow), Child's Garden of Verses (finished).
Hannah's Reading (3rd grade): Five Little Peppers (150), Little House on the Prairie (252). Phonics: Set 5 book 12 (finished), and book 13 (all stories). Island Story (ch 26-27 Death of William the Conquerer, William the Red), Child's History of the World (ch 50 Real Castles), A Tree in the Trail (ch 8-11), Burgess Animal Book (ch 10-13). Poetry by Walter de la Mare.
Emily's Reading (4th/5th grade): The Jungle Book (168), King of the Wind (finished), The Little White Horse (finished), Anne's House of Dreams (finished), Anne of Ingleside (finished), Rainbow Valley (finished), Rilla of Ingleside (80),the Woodbegoods (finished), The Wheel on the School (102), The Bears of Blue River (217), Captivity of Mary of Scottland (part 5), Inventions (ch 6-7 Eli Whitney and the Cotton Gin, Elias Howe and the Sewing Machine), Heroes (The Argonauts Part 1 and 2). American Tall Tales (Davey Crocket, Mike Fink), Trial and Triumph (22, 23), Tales of Shakespeare (Taming of the Shrew), Island Story (ch 73-79), Science Lab (through p. 23). Poetry by Sara Teasdale.
Read aloud: Children's Homer (Greece unit), Gooney Bird and the Room Mother, David Copperfield, The Little Duke, The Pilgrim's Progress (p. 98).
Gospel Study: Book of Mormon (finished Mormon); Pres. Uchtdorf (Happiness Your Heritage), Elder Dallin H. Oaks (Sacrament Meeting and the Sacrament), (Nov. 08 Ensign).
Shakespeare: Love's Labor Lost (Act II).
Biography: Eleanor Roosevelt: Life of Discovery (finished).

Greece Unit

2009-02-22T12:34:00.000-07:00

There may be some overlap with some of these. I will add to the list as we go along. Books are are using:

Tales of Ancient Greece by Enid Blyton
DK Eyewitness Books Ancient Greece
The Children's Homer
The Heroes by Charles Kingsley
Tanglewood Tales by Nathaniel Hawthorne
A Wonder-book for Girls and Boys by Nathaniel Hawthorne
Ancient History-Based Writing Lessons (IEW)
Streams of Civilization Vol. 1
D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths
Story of the World vol 1 and Activity Book
Beautiful Feet Ancient History Guide

Tot School

2009-02-17T16:13:00.001-07:00

Here is a link to a website called Tot School focusing on helping toddlers and preschoolers. There are lots of lapbook ideas.

Learning Through Movies

2009-02-15T07:56:00.001-07:00

Teach with Movies
Cinema Therapy

My Education

2009-01-17T17:28:00.002-07:00

As I look over the various book lists I want my children to read over the years, I am inspired to further my own education. I love to read and usually have several things I am reading at any given time. I have decided to begin a study of the books in year 11 of Ambleside. Here are the books/essays/short stories that I am interested in reading this year, (my goal is to read at least 16 books, plus essays, etc.):

A History of the Twentieth Century: The Concise Edition of the Acclaimed World History by Martin Gilbert
Theodore Roosevelt's Letters to His Children
The Trial at Nuremberg
Black Boy by Richard Wright
Economics in One Lesson by Henry Hazlitt
Slouching Towards Gomorrah by Robert Bork
Seven Men Who Rule the World from the Grave by David Breese
Amusing Ourselves to Death by Neil Postman
All Quiet on the Western Front by Erich Marie Remarque
Nikolai Gogol (The Overcoat)
Edgar Allen Poe (The Fall of the House of Usher)
Anton Chekhov (Gooseberries)
Leo Tolstoy (How Much Land Does a Man Need?)
Mark Twain (The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County)
Abortion and the Conscience of the Nation by Ronald Reagan
On Writing Well The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction by William Zinsser
Less Than Words Can Say by Richard Mitchell
Six Easy Pieces: Essentials of Physics Explained by Its Most Brilliant Teacher by Richard P. Feynman
The Great Astronomers by Robert S. Ball
Our National Parks by John Muir
The Thinking Toolbox: Thirty-Five Lessons That Will Build Your Reasoning Skills by Nathaniel and Hans Bluedorn
Get More Done in Less Time by Donna Otto
Keeper of the Bees by Stratton Porter
The Screwtape Letters by C. S. Lewis
Mama's Bank Account by Kathryn Forbes
Rocket Boys by Homer Hickam
Portuguesse Irregular Verbs by Alexander McCall Smith

Our Week

2009-01-17T15:22:00.002-07:00

We didn't do everything I would have liked this week. We watched the Blimes children this week while their parents were in Hawaii. We had a lot of fun and all the kids were really good! However, we simply could not get to everything we wanted to. We will make up for it this next week, except for Tuesday when we have dental work and Amanda will have her doctor's appointment.

School Report Jan 5-9

2009-01-17T13:19:00.000-07:00

Greece Unit: Pandora's Box, King Midas and the Golden Touch, Minoans.
Astronomy Unit: learned about the Big and Little Dippers, North Star (Polaris), Earth rotating on Axis, the sun and seasons.
Miles (Preschool): stories about Moonbear and Little Bear. David and Goliath.
Amanda (1st grade): read Frog and Toad Are Friends to Mom; King Alfred and the Beggar, cont. Benjamin Franklin, cont. Paddle to the Sea, Smudge the Little Lost Lamb, Child's Garden of Verses.
Hannah's Reading (3rd grade): Five Little peppers (108), Little House on the Prairie (162). Cont. The Little Duke, cont. A Tree in the Trail, CHOW 49, Story of Mankind ch 30. Phonics: Russ Fixes Lunch (Set 5 Book 10), Who Wants Soup, The Old Queen Who Went to Town (Set 5 book 11). Poetry by Walter de la Mare.
Emily's Reading (4th/5th grade): Anne of Windy Poplars (finished), The Princess and the Goblin (finished), King of the Wind (67), The Little White Horse (45), Anne's House of Dreams (74), the Woodbegoods (90). Parables of Nature. Poetry by Sara Teasdale.
Read aloud: Peter Pan (142), Children of the New Forest (finished), The Water Horse (76).
Gospel Study: Book of Mormon (3 Nephi 13-17); Sister Julie Beck, Fulfilling the Purpose of Relief Society (Nov. 08 Ensign).
Shakespeare: Love's Labor Lost (act 1, scene 2). The Tempest (Beautiful Stories from Shakespeare, E. Nesbit).
Biography: Starry Messenger (Galileo), Eleanor Roosevelt: Life of Discovery (Russell Freedman).

Penny Gardner

2009-01-17T13:06:00.004-07:00

I have had the privilege of hearing Penny Gardner speak about Charlotte Mason's philosophy and it was wonderful! She will be hosting a seminar in Lehi, Utah on January 24. It is only 20.00 and includes a copy of her book, The Charlotte Mason Study Guide.

School Report Dec 29-Jan 2, 08

2009-01-08T16:41:00.001-07:00

Field Trip: Live Bird Show, Lehi Hutchings Museum.
Miles (Preschool): new books from Christmas.
Amanda (1st grade): more math than personal reading this week. Lots of stories from Christmas and reading from Mom and Dad.
Hannah's Reading (3rd grade): The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (finished some time ago), Five Little peppers (102), Little House on the Prairie (128), started Heidi.
Emily's Reading (4th/5th grade): English Fairy Tales (finished some time ago), Anne of Avonlea (finished some time ago), Anne of the Island (finished), Anne of Windy Poplars (147), The Princess and the Goblin (209), King of the Wind (44), The Little White Horse (34).
Read aloud: Peter Pan (124), Misty of Chincoteague (finished), Children of the New Forest (294), finished Sophie hits six, started The Water Horse.
Gospel Study: Book of Mormon (we are on 3 Nephi 13); President Monson, Until We Meet Again; Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, The Ministry of Angels (Nov. 08 Ensign).
Shakespeare: Love's Labor Lost (act 1, scene 1).
Extra: lots of time with grandparents and cousins for New Years.

Medieval Activities

2009-01-08T08:11:00.002-07:00

Here is a link to some great activities to support your study of the Middle Ages. This is at Sharon Anderson's website where she sells timelines. She also has a history rhyme that goes with each history section she sells to help children learn importants events in order.

Charlotte Mason Website List

2009-01-07T13:14:00.000-07:00

This page from Penny Gardner's website has lots of links to Charlotte Mason websites. Some of my favorite CM websites can be found here.

Winter Fun

2009-01-05T18:42:00.004-07:00

I enjoyed this post from the blog In the Sparrow's Nest. I especially love the crystal snowflakes, we are going to do them soon. Great winter science fun! This is the link to the actual info on the crystals. Thanks Melissa!

Art Website

2009-01-03T15:37:00.001-07:00

This is a fantastic website with lots of art projects created by an elementary art teacher.

Time flies!

2009-01-03T14:23:00.002-07:00

November and December have flown by! Although I didn't do school reports for all those weeks, I still want to share some what of happened.

I have been struggling with my daughter Amanda. She and I had a couple of weeks where we were fighting, not just about school, but everything. Naturally, I was searching what I should do. I prayed a lot and fasted for her the first part of December. What I felt was that I needed to back off and not require so much of her. I felt that we needed to do less academic school and more family/holiday time. After a break, we would jump back in and things would go smoother. Before I truly trusted these subtle impressions of the Spirit, I was anxious to find solutions. So Amanda had a trial period at the charter school where we have our Friday homeschool classes. During this time I had a confirmation that she needed to keep homeschooling. Then she got the flu and so she came home. Amanda also broke her foot in December, so we have kept in the house a lot, which has really been a blessing.

We spent much of December reading Christmas stories, making treats, and sewing stockings for fun. Our family was also able to go to the Nutcracker, Emily and Hannah's violing concert, and several Christmas parties. Another highlight for me was going to a local Creche Exhibit. It was a spiritually moving experience. I am the choir director in my ward (church congregation) and our Christmas program went well. My children and I have had the Christmas music going through our minds none stop! Nate was able to begin his vacation on December 19 (that was when we stopped our formal school work) and it has been wonderful to be together so much.

This year our family participated in an effort to raise money for the Utah Foster Care Foundation. Our children were in a Jump-a-thon where they agreed to jump for so much time in order to get donations for children in foster care that needed Christmas help. They also learned about children with terminal illnesses and wrote them cards to wish them well and cheer them up. As a family we made a blanket to donate to a foster care child. We also joined with other families to make things for the foster kids. It has really been a special time.

Christmas

2009-01-03T13:50:00.002-07:00

We had a wonderful Christmas! Our home-made gift tradition turned out very well. Here is the run down: Nate gave me book display case, I gave him beef jerky, Emily gave Miles a flannel board with letters and shapes, Miles gave Emily a t-shirt with a design colored on sandpaper and transfered with an iron, Hannah gave Amanda a blanket-stitched felt purse and a cardboard dollhouse, Amanda gave Hannah a jewelry dresser. It was a lot of fun!

School Report Nov 17-21

2009-01-03T13:37:00.001-07:00

Field Trip: Reptile Show.
Memorization: Alma 37:6.
Thanksgiving Unit: reading about William Bradford.
AO History: (Y1) biography of George Washington; (Y2) The Little Duke; (Y3) Marco Polo.
Miles (Preschool): Billy and Blaze stories.
Amanda (1st grade): Teach Us Amelia Bedelia; phonics reader set 4 book _
Hannah's Reading (3rd grade): The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (pg. 144), Five Little peppers (78) Little House on the Prairie (70).
Emily's Reading (4th/5th grade): finished Water Babies, English Fairy Tales (188), Call of the Wild (finished), started Anne of Avonlea, started The Captivity of Mary of Scottland.
Read aloud: Peter Pan (Amanda), Misty of Chincoteague (Hannah), Children of the New Forest (Emily).
Gospel Study: Book of Mormon Helaman 11-; President Monson, Joy in the Journey (Nov. 08 Ensign).
Shakespeare: Midsummer Night's Dream by Charles and Mary Lamb
Extra: Culture Tales.

U-tube Links for Ambleside Music Term 2

2008-12-14T17:37:00.001-07:00

Franz Liszt:
Piano Concerto No 1

Play List of all songs

Hymn: Come Ye Disconsolate
Loni Hawkins at MTC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9OGUUWufVg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRuTz4Xq9Bw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G96YNUSjhXA&feature=related Peter Paul & Mary

Barn and Doll House

2008-11-30T09:00:00.001-07:00

Doll House and Barn Tutorial

Home made

2008-11-26T16:49:00.002-07:00

These are some pictures of things I made last year for Christmas. The Peace block in this picture obviously isn't finished, but I neglected to take a picture of one that was finished before giving them away. I used my Quickutz squeeze to cut out letters. I then used Mod Podge to adhere the word "peace" to the block. My husband kindly cut out the blocks and I painted and sanded them.

The tile sign quote also has Quickutz letters that I cut out and carefully glued. This was much more time consuming than it looks! Then I sprayed it with clear coat spray. Sorry the pictures are not better! I hope that these can still give ideas to someone.

Home-made gifts

2008-11-26T14:28:00.005-07:00

We have a tradition of drawing names and giving a home-made gift to that person on Christmas Eve. I am collecting some ideas for these gifts here. Some of these are just ideas in my head, some are links to cute ideas, and some are things we have done in past for family members or friends. If you have some ideas please post them!

puppets scroll down pretty far to see the puppets, they are cute! Look at the cute felt boards (jungle and desert) and the felt activity boards and pictures to go with them, too.
doll house: my husband helped a daughter make a doll house and she painted it.
crayon roll up
Fabric Barn/Doll House
Make a doll: look up the pictures on Flicker (here's Ella, Dorothy,Dolly), PDF pattern available here
chalk board, so many options. Here is one made from a globe! This is interesting, use existing furniture.
photo board
custom tee-shirt: child colors on sand paper and you melt the design on a tee-shirt
make a pillow or pillow case
delicious food
tell stories with a digital recorder and burn them on a CD
make a story book
make a special scrapbook for that loved one
little toys made out of sculpey
beaded jewelry
a blanket/quilt
Flower Press

Handicrafts

2008-11-25T08:04:00.006-07:00

On Fridays we enjoy a variety of classes at a local charter school. This last Friday I noticed another mom making a beautiful rug that I thought would be fun to do for handicrafts. Handicrafts should be teaching your child/ren skills that they will use into adulthood, or lasting hobbies. It is not just making something from a kit that looks like junk to begin with. However, this is an individualized topic and will vary from family to family.

spool knitting, blog, google for more pictures and websites of spool knitting

Examples of rag rugs:
toothbrush rag rug
rag rugs
Round rag Rug
Homemade rug

check this list from AO for additional ideas.

More to come later!

Number Stories

2008-11-22T08:44:00.002-07:00

Here is link to a google book about math stories, it might make a fun living math book. The title is Number Stories of Long Ago by David Eugene Smith

Just a glimpse!

2008-11-20T18:09:00.002-07:00

I like writing up our school reports to remind me what we have done and where we are going. This is just a glimpse into the many things that are going on in our school. I don't include every reading, just the highlights and particularly the things that we are doing together. Some of the things that are not included are our individual scripture readings (currently Old Testament and the Book of Mormon), science, nature study, poetry, composer and artist studies.

School Report Nov 10-14

2008-11-20T08:34:00.000-07:00

Other: Math Club; dentist appointments.
Memorization: 1 Nephi 9:6
Thanksgiving Unit: started reading about William Bradford.
AO History: (Y1) how Caligula conquered Britain, Horatius at the bridge, biography of George Washington; (Y2) The Battle of Stamford Bridge, The Little Duke; (Y3) Child's History of the World ch 65, Marco Polo, TCCO ch. 7.
Miles (Preschool): stories from Africa.
Amanda (1st grade): phonics reader set 4 book 3 (The Trunk in the Well and Lil Helps Tom).
Hannah's Reading (3rd grade): The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (pg. 133), Five Little peppers (60) Little House on the Prairie (36).
Emily's Reading (4th/5th grade): reading Water Babies, English Fairy Tales (90), Call of the Wild (150).
Read aloud: Peter Pan (Amanda), Misty of Chincoteague (Hannah), Children of the New Forest (Emily).
Gospel Study: chapter 10 of Preach My Gospel; Book of Mormon Helaman 7-10; Sister Dalton, A Return to Virtue (Nov. 08 Ensign).

School Report Nov. 3-7

2008-11-20T07:48:00.000-07:00

Field Trip: Space Mission Odyssey Simulation.
Gov/Election Unit: Learned about the legislative branch and elections. Election day colored map of McCain/Obama electoral votes.
AO History: (Y1) read about Julius Caesar coming to Britain and about Regulus; (Y2) Charlemagne, started The Little Duke; (Y3) Our Island Story 62-71, TCCO ch. 6.
Miles (Preschool): Letter "p" activities.
Amanda (1st grade): phonics readers.
Hannah's Reading (3rd grade): The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (pg. 114), Five Little peppers (52). Hannah says her favorite part of school this week was assigned reading, she really likes her books!
Emily's Reading (4th/5th grade): reading Water Babies (197), Anne of Green Gables (finished), Linnets and Valerians, English Fairy Tales (20), Call of the Wild (130). Emily's favorite parts of school this week was Space Camp and listening to Children of the New Forest.
Read aloud: The Golden Goblet (history) finished, Charlotte's Web (Amanda) finished, Misty of Chincoteague (Hannah), Children of the New Forest (Emily).
Gospel Study: Started chapter 10 of Preach My Gospel; Book of Mormon Helaman 4-6.

Solar Window Green House

2008-11-20T07:21:00.004-07:00

I am a wanna-be gardener. I do okay gardening, but I yearn to be a great gardener! One of my interests is winter gardening. I found this interesting article about making your own solar garden box. The article states that most greens can be grown with success, but I wonder what else? Sounds fun! You just need a box, aluminum foil, glue, a translucent/white garbage bag, soil, seeds, and some clothes pins.

Here is a link to a window greenhouse that can double as a bird feeder.

Thanksgiving Activities

2008-11-19T07:10:00.002-07:00

Here are some fun Thanksgiving activities, these are so cute! Pick and choose what to do with your family:

Make a blessing box
Count your blessings
Turkey place holders
Thanksgiving table runner
Thanksgiving count down calendar
Gratitude Tree
Edible Indian Corn

Watercolor blog

2008-11-17T07:56:00.001-07:00

Watercolor blog, great for nature study and art.

Waldorf Links

2008-11-17T07:39:00.003-07:00

Here are some links I found for Waldorf Curricula, they look interesting.

Waldorf Curriculum
At a glance overview curriculum
Millenial Child Grade 4
Article on hand work
Articles by Rudolf Steiner
Waldorf Family Network examples of work from ancient civilizations

Hand Held Food Saver

2008-11-17T07:35:00.002-07:00

Here is a great deal on a hand held food saver from Cabella's. I use this to seal the jars of dried fruit. You can also store chocolate chips, nuts and many other things with this and an attachment lid for jars.

Writing Contests

2008-11-09T09:33:00.001-07:00

This website has information on writing contests for children and teens. Check it out!

Thanksgiving Resources

2008-11-08T21:47:00.002-07:00

We are going to do a brief unit on Thanksgiving and Pilgrims. Here are some resources that I would like to use:

William Bradford Pilgrim Boy by Bradford Smith
Squanto Friend of the Pilgrims by Clyde Robert Bulla
The Landing of the Pilgrims by James Daugherty
Jamestown New World Adventure by James E. Knight
America's Providential History by Mark A. Beliles & Stephen K. McDowell
Stories of the Pilgrims by Margaret Pumphrey (online at Main Lesson)

What are favorite books you have read in the past? Please post your favorites!

School Report Oct 27-31

2008-11-08T15:10:00.002-07:00

Extra: Halloween parties galore! Carving pumpkins.
Field Trip: Eyring Science Center at BYU.
Gov/Election Unit: Learned about the judicial branch and colored/drew pictures of the Supreme Court.
Shakespeare: the Two Gentleman of Verona
History: We didn't get to our ancient history readings.
AO History: (Y1) read about Julius Caesar coming to Britain and about Regulus; (Y2) Charlemagne, started The Little Duke; (Y3) Our Island Story 62-71, TCCO ch. 6.
Miles (Preschool): played a lot! Nothing formal this week.
Amanda (1st grade): says her favorite thing she learned this week was about the Supreme Court. Helped cook waffles.
Hannah's Reading (3rd grade): The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (pg. 114), Five Little peppers (52). Hannah says her favorite part of school this week was assigned reading, she really likes her books!
Emily's Reading (4th/5th grade): reading Water Babies (194), Anne of Green Gables (128), Linnets and Valerians. Emily's favorite parts of school this week were reading Linnets and Valerians, Our Island Story, Anne of Green Gables and listening to Children of the New Forest.
Read aloud: The Golden Goblet (history), Charlotte's Web (Amanda), Misty of Chincoteague (Hannah), Children of the New Forest (Emily).
Gospel Study: Righteous Traditions (Sister Lant's talk, Ensign, May '08 Ensign); Book of Mormon Helaman 1-3.

Important Events and Ideas of the Modern Period 1850-Present

2008-11-08T14:19:00.001-07:00

Modern, 1850—Present
Africa under European control
the Indian mutinies
the Crimean War
the Victorian era
the War between the States (Civil War)
exploration in the American West
Euro-American conflict with the Native American tribes
the Boxer Rebellion
World War I
the Russian Revolution
the Soviet Union
the Great Depression
the New Deal
civil war in Spain
the Axis and the Allies
World War II
Nazi Germany / Hitler
the Holocaust
Zionism / the Jew’s return to Palestine
apartheid / South African segregation
China under Mao
the Korean War
the civil-rights movement
the Vietnam War
landing on the moon

Important Ideas and Events of the Late Renaissance/Early Modern Period

2008-11-08T14:17:00.002-07:00

Late Renaissance / EarlyModern, 1600—1850
the Mayflower
early American settlements
Russia under Peter the Great and his successors
Prussia in the eighteenth century
the Enlightenment
the agricultural revolution
Native American cultures
the British in India
the French Revolution
British—French conflict in Canada
the American Revolution
The Napoleonic Wars
the industrial revolution
Simón Bolívar’s fight for independence in South America
the siege of the Alamo
the California gold rush
the Lewis and Clark expedition
the U.S. acquisition of North American territories
Australia’s beginnings as a penal colony

Important People of the Medieval/Early Renaissance Period

2008-11-08T14:14:00.001-07:00

Medieval / Early Renaissance, 400—1600
Saint Augustine (writing c. 411)
Attila the Hun (c. 433—453)
King Arthur (probably killed in 537 at the Battle of Camlan)
Gregory of Tours (540—594)
Mohammed (570—632)
The Venerable Bede (672—735)
Charles Martel (688—741)
Charlemagne (ruled 768—814)
Alfred the Great (849—899)
Leif Ericsson (discovered America c. 1000)
Omar Khayyam (1027—1123)
Edward the Confessor (1042—1066)
Chrétien de Troyes (1144—1190)
Genghis Khan (b. 1155)
Thomas Aquinas (1225—1274)
Dante Alighieri (1265—1321)
Geoffrey Chaucer (c. 1340—1400)
Thomas à Kempis (1380—1471)
Jan van Eyck (c. 1390—1441)
Johannes Gutenberg (c. 1396—1468)
Sandro Botticelli (1444—1510)
Christopher Columbus (1451—1506)
Leonardo da Vinci (1452—1519)
Amerigo Vespucci (1454—1512)
Erasmus (1465—1536)
Nicolaus Copernicus (1473—1543)
Michelangelo (1475—1564)
Titian (1477—1576)
Thomas More (1478—1535)
Ferdinand Magellan (1480—1521)
Martin Luther (1483—1546)
Raphael (1483—1520)
Ignatius Loyola (1491—1556)
Correggio (1494—1534)
Giovanni Angelo de’ Medici (1499—1565)
Thomas Wyatt (1503—1542)
Nostradamus (1503—1566)
John Knox (1505—1572)
John Calvin (1509—1564)
Hernando Cortés (entered Mexican capital, 1519)
Pieter Brueghel (1520—1569)
Palestrina, Giovanni Pierluigi da (1525—1594)
Tycho Brahe (1546—1601)
Philip Sidney (1551—1586)
Walter Raleigh (1554—1618)
William Shakespeare (1564—1616)
Galileo Galilei (1564—1642)
Jan Brueghel (1568—1625)
John Donne (1572—1631)
Inigo Jones (1573—1652)
René Descartes (1596—1650)

Important Ancient History People

2008-11-08T14:13:00.000-07:00

Ancients, 5000 BC—AD 400
Cheops, pharaoh of Egypt (2700—2675 BC)
Abraham (c. 2100 BC)
Hammurabi (c. 1750 BC)
Queen Hatshepsut of Egypt (c. 1480 BC)
Moses (c. 1450 BC)
Tutankhamen (c. 1355 BC)
Nebuchadnezzar (1146—1123 BC)
King David (c. 1000 BC)
Homer (c. 800 BC)
Romulus (753—716 BC)
Sennacherib (705—681 BC)
Lao-tse (Chinese philosopher, b. 604 BC)
Pythagoras (581—497 BC)
Confucius (K’ung Fu-tsu) (551—479 BC)
Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama) (550—480 BC)
Darius I of Persia (522—485 BC)
Socrates (470—399 BC)
Hippocrates (b. 460 BC)
Plato (427—347 BC)
Aristotle (384—322 BC)
Alexander the Great (356—323 BC)
Shi Huangdi (first emperor of unified China, 221—207 BC)
Hannibal (fought with Rome c. 218—207 BC)
Judas Maccabaeus (c. 168 BC)
Cicero (106—43 BC)
Julius Caesar (100—44 BC)
Virgil (70—19 BC)
Caesar Augustus (c. 45 BC—AD 14)
Jesus Christ (c. 4 BC—AD 33)
Caligula (died AD 42)
Saint Paul (c. AD 45)
Nero (died AD 68)
Marcus Aurelius (ruled AD 161—180)
Constantine the Great (ruled AD 306—337)

Choir Resources

2008-11-05T17:31:00.004-07:00

Here are some choir links. Many of these have free music, some don't.

Choir Works
Craig Petrie's Music
Ward Choir
Music by Andrew
Sally DeFord
LDS Music Source
Jackman Music
Sibelius Music

What our school day looks like

2008-11-03T17:37:00.004-07:00

Our days are often chaotic and full of interruptions. You don't see the many interruptions that happen in normal life when I write this out so keep that in mind, LOL! We have disagreements, diapers (3yo son is still in diapers, yes!), or the child who spends a lot of time in the bathroom, etc. There are days that we don't get as much done, when one subject or child needs much more time. But it is so worth it! I love to be able to homeschool, it is truly a privilege!

*early morning, kids become PBS kids (prayer, bed, scriptures), violin practice/Aleks (math), get ready for the day, breakfast. During breakfast we have gospel study and memorization.

1. Math first, as much as we can do until 10:00. Some days they only work in Singapore workbooks or texts, but I like when we can also do either flashcards or a timed math sheet. My older two girls (10 and 8) also spend 1-3 hours/week doing Aleks.com an online math program tailored to their needs and state grade level requirements. My younger daughter (6) does math baseball (funbrain.com) for fun. I really don’t want to do math this long, but my kids like math and don’t want to switch subjects earlier.

2. Assigned reading, we set monthly reading goals for the Pizza Hut book-it program. Many of these come from Amblesides free reading lists, Truelight Academy lists, or others that I feel are important. They read these themselves (the older two) as silent sustained reading and the time varies from day to day. My 1^st grade daughter reads to me, however sometimes I go directly into her AO readings and read to her depending on what extracurricular things we have that day (field trips, VT, etc.). The kids come report to me as they finish reading something and narrate.

3. Ambleside readings, more narration, copywork . We follow the schedule for Ambleside as much as we can, however sometimes we get books from interlibrary loan and so that book is studied more intensely.

4. Combined subjects, foreign language, artist study, composer study, singing. These are not all done everyday.

Lunch. Sometimes we listen to books on CD (Old Testament, Pilgrim’s Progress, or anything).

5. Read aloud, history, nature study, biographies, Shakespeare and Plutarch. Field trips. I pick a read aloud from each of their AO schedules to read with everyone, we often read these at night too. We do some history together 1-2 times a week, but we still are working on this one. There are so many interruptions in the afternoons, usually due to field trips. Once a week we read from the Handbook of Nature Study from Anna Comstock and try to go on a nature walk. The biographies come from AO readings. Shakespeare and Plutarch are only a couple of times a month, but my kids love it and always want to do more. Amanda (6yo) isn’t into Plutarch yet and I don’t always require her to stay for that one.

Math and Science

2008-11-01T13:21:00.002-06:00

I love to read living math and science books to my children. Some of our favorites have been Matmathicians are People too (1 and 2), Carry On Mr. Bowditch, and the Librarian Who Measured the Earth. We have neglected this area of our school for the last little while and I want to do better.
Here are some science and/or math book links.

Paula's Archive, grouped according to science, awesome list of living science books.
Penny Gardner science
Penny Gardenr math

Here are some others that I want to check into:
Seashell Math
Popcorn & Peanuts
Living Math Project
Math Blog
Living Math
Living Math Ancient Culture Links

Free online curricula

2008-11-01T10:03:00.006-06:00

Some of my favorite CM curricula that are free and online are the following:

Ambleside Online complete curriculum, plus all Charlotte Mason's writings are available too.
Milestones Academy find the year you are interested in, in the sidebar.
Old Fashioned Education everything can be found free online.
Truelight Academy I love Katrina Lybbert's organization! You can get many ideas from her website. I especially love her reading lists, we have been following them for several years.
Higher Up and Further In

If you know of others, please send them to me!

Our school

2008-11-01T09:40:00.002-06:00

At this time in our school we are following Ambleside Online. We are doing year 3 with my oldest dd who is now 10, year 2 with my 8-year old dd, year 1 with my 6-year old dd, and some of year 0 with my ds, who is 3. I started this school year having my 8-year old do a combination schedule. Some things she did with her older sister in year 3 and some things with her younger sister in year 1. Now I have scratched that and she is doing year 2. I am also doing an eclectic ancient history that utilizes elements of Veritas, Beautiful Feet (intermediate book list here and senior book list here) and other ancient history book lists like Sonlight and WTM.

School Report Oct 20-24

2008-11-01T08:23:00.001-06:00

Extra: shared memorized poems at Poetry in the Park
Gov/Election Unit: Learned about the executive branch.
Field Trip: Kaleidoscope Dance Performance; Bean Museum
History: reading about Egypt, mummies. Started tomato mummies in salt.
Miles (Preschool): story kit about Cowboys.
Amanda (1st grade): read the Gingerbread the Little Red Hen, read Boy, phonics reader 2 part 2, finished Dinosaurs Before Dark (mom read),
Hannah's Reading (3rd grade): The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (pg. 90)
Emily's Reading (4th/5th grade): finished Swallows and Amazons, reading Water Babies, reading Anne of Green Gables.
Read aloud: The Golden Goblet (history), Charlotte's Web (Amanda), Misty of Chincoteague (Hannah), Children of the New Forest (Emily).
Gospel Study: Pres. Packer (May '08 Ensign); Book of Mormon Alma 60-63.
Shakespeare: The Taming of the Shrew; we also watched Kiss Me Kate.

Gardening tips

2008-10-29T15:37:00.001-06:00

Foodforeveryone.org Garden through winter!
Get More Tomatoes
Container Planters (Gorgeous pictures!)

Make your own grain grinder

2008-10-29T15:06:00.003-06:00

Here are some links to preparedness information. The pipe grinder explains how you can make your own hand grinder.

Pipe Hand Grain Grinder
Pictures of Pipe Grinders w/ Specs.

Cute blog templates!

2008-10-27T18:22:00.004-06:00

My sister in law Jill, showed me her blog last night. She has the cutest blog template that she got from thecutestblogontheblock. I can't wait to change mine when I get some time. I have dial up and it takes forever for anything to load! They also have this page with blog secrets, I definitely need this! This shows how to make your blog into a 3-column blog.

Government Class

2008-10-27T18:10:00.003-06:00

Today we had our government class with our friends the Blimes. We learned about the Judiciary. The kids listened to a story about how the judiciary works. Then they colored each member of the Supreme Court and labeled them. Michelle showed me this link to a song to learn the presidents of the United States in order, check it out!

Learning Mother

Shakespeare Link

Health Links

History and Government Resources

Maternity Clothes

Montessori Grammar

Educational Videos Online

Emergency Preparedness Manual

President Benson speaking on education

Scope and Sequence

Montessori Resources

Natural Remedies

New Resources for Homemade Gifts!

Black Apple Doll

Copy Books

Memorize the Living Christ

Christmas Ideas

Things to make!

Things to make!

French Links

Russian Resources

Some things we are using

Math Links

Timelines

Resources for learning Spanish

Valedictorian Speaks Out!

Need an Idea for a Fieldtrip?

Geography Game

Hands-on Spelling or Beginning Reading Idea

More History Book Lists

Art

Food Preservation Link

Free E-books

Learning Songs

More Grammar Links

Grammar

Language Resources

Reader's Theater

Math Games

Storytelling Link

Science Fair Ideas

Homeschool Links

Drama and Reader's Theater

Homeschool Forms and Printables

Shakespeare Scripts

Writing

Shakespeare Resources

Results of New Study Released

Government Videos on YouTube

College and High School

Songs for teaching grammar

Shakespeare for Children

Looking Ahead: Composer Study 2009-10

Caramel Toffe Cookies

School Report: February Week?

Greece Unit

Tot School

Learning Through Movies

My Education

Our Week

School Report Jan 5-9

Penny Gardner

School Report Dec 29-Jan 2, 08

Medieval Activities

Charlotte Mason Website List

Winter Fun

Art Website

Time flies!

Christmas

School Report Nov 17-21

U-tube Links for Ambleside Music Term 2

Barn and Doll House

Home made

Home-made gifts

Handicrafts

Number Stories

Just a glimpse!

School Report Nov 10-14

School Report Nov. 3-7

Solar Window Green House