The Problem With Stuff...

So, I'm bad at taking before pictures.

Here are a few pictures that show the progress I've made, but I've come to a conclusion...

STUFF in and of itself is a problem for me.  Honestly.  You know how much space I actually NEED for the materials we are actively using?!  Not much.

I have too much stuff.
I've been trying to remedy the problem I'm having, but I am organizationally challenged.  Big time.  But here are my meager efforts - in progress.

Click images for BIG versions!

See the two bags under the desks?
Those are large enough to hold
ALL the books we use in a week.

This picture shows the part of the
room that is *mostly* finished...

I was elated to find this black cart on
the curb recently!  I'm considering
storing all the current curriculum
on the white thing.

Cozy couch and some more junk...

I'd really love for this to feel more inviting.

Here you can see the main "problem".

And the rest of the problem.

Classroom Setup

The Value of Fun

Disclaimer 1: I don't do affiliate links because I am too lazy. Disclaimer 2: I like to post things on my blog so that when I forget the name of something I can find it again easily (in other words, my blog is sort of like public bookmarks).

Now then. This site comes on recommendation of a member in the home education group I read, I thought this was a pretty nice site, and wanted to share it with my un-schooling friends out there: ELGames.com: Offering over 4,000 EDUCATIONAL GAMES for Teachers, Home Schoolers, Parents, & Children and just for FUN!

Have a glorious day!
<3

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Discovering Eighths

J has discovered eighths on his own, he even figured out what they're called by noticing the pattern in this project (which stopped at 1/4 but he wanted to continue).

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When The Books Are Good

This is how you know your kid likes his curriculum... He was doing this when I came down stairs this morning!

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Fine Motor Development

Sprite had been showing some readiness for writing, so here she is practicing is an activity suggested by a member of a local homeschool group.

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It's like this...

Let me begin by explaining that we don't school on a traditional cycle by any means of that word.  Not only do we choose to school year round, but I do not stick to any grade level of any kind with either of my kids.

For example:
Jupiter (my son) is about four weeks away from finishing his current Language Arts text, so this means we'll have to find something for him to continue with.  He is also about one week from completing his "Level B" math book, good thing I bought "Level C" last year when I thought we would school through my summer displacement and our move from MI to CT (what the heck was I thinking?).  To further complicate things, if we can actually stick with some sort of schedule, we (the kids do Science and History together) will be done with Astronomy in the end of April and History in the middle of May.

Sprite (my daughter) has already completed the entire "Kindergarten" year through the program she uses online, so I have allowed her to continue to 1st grade.  A lot of repetition is involved, and I have to explain concepts more than once...  but she eventually gets it and she's doing quite well!

At least this situation is timed well this year re: tax return.

Our Curriculum Goals for 2011
Jupiter
Language Arts
Complete Phonics Road Level I

• We are only on Level I despite his age because even with completing Sing, Spell, Read and Write (also known as SSRW), while he is an excellent reader he can could not spell.  He is doing about two weeks for every week that is scheduled in the text because he can handle it, and I'm proud to report that his spelling ability and general understanding of the English Language has improved immensely.  In related commentary, we are not using SSRW with Sprite.

Phonics Road Level II

Math

Complete Right Start Math Level B

Begin Right Start Math Level C

Introduce Zillio Math Mountain

Science

Complete Apologia Astronomy and accompanying Notebook and Labs

Begin either: Apologia Zoology I or Apologia Botany.  Can't decide, might do both.  No matter the decision, we will also have him complete the Notebook and Labs - the enrichment provided by these activities is astounding to me.

History

Complete Mystery of History Volume I and construct a detailed timeline

Begin Mystery of History Volume II and construct a detailed timeline

Sprite
Language Arts
Completed Time4Learning "K"

Starfall.com as desired - we use the free stuff

Working through Phonics Road Level I at readiness

Math
Completed Time4Learning "K"
Right Start A at readiness
Introduce Zillio Math Mountain

Science

Complete Apologia Astronomy No Notebook for Spritely, but she does do the labs alongside her brother.

Begin either: Apologia Zoology I or Apologia Botany.  Can't decide, might do both.  

History

Complete Mystery of History Volume I and construct a detailed timeline

Begin Mystery of History Volume II and construct a detailed timeline

I've decided to maintain a separate tab which will archive these posts as I write them.  I expect to add to it as we add to our curriculum.

<3

Vacation Destination

Today's assignment was to design an advertisement to convince aliens that Earth is a good place to visit. I allowed inventive spelling, because right now we are in a period of trying to make writing less of a frustration... Seems to be working, he giggled all the way through this project!

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Getting Ready for School in 2011!

Our goals for 2011 are pretty simplistic - I need to relax.  I also need to be less lazy and more scheduled.  I'm not sure how to accomplish those two things at the same time, but I aim to try.  The problem is, I really like to sleep in.  Like, REALLY like to sleep in.  I am not the type of person to wake up before the sun, get the school materials out, have my coffee while I make a hot breakfast, and accomplish life.  I am the type that stays up until 3am on a regular basis and enjoys the quiet that a house full of sleeping people brings.  I need to rearrange my priorities it seems, as well as my sleep cycle.

School Pictures - 2008

All my friends with kids have been calling/emailing me telling me about their kid's first pictures... I was so excited to hear about this milestone, but it also made me feel a little sad when I realized that my kids won't ever have a kindergarten picture day!

I started thinking about that a little, and then it hit me... who says picture day has to happen in school? So today, we got the kids all dressed up and hopped in the car and started driving around aimlessly - and look what God gave us!  ***Edit:***  I'm not sure why the pictures don't show up in the post any more, but if you click on them you can view them.

Curriculum Links

These are a couple of sites that I found interesting:

Evan-Moore Curriculum Resources veeeery interesting :D

Neoscience is a complete science curriculum with experiment kits that include everything needed to complete the projects.

Moving Beyond the Page is curriculum for creative and gifted children.

Is YOUR child gifted?

Time4Learning

I recently started reviewing Time4Learning by The Learning Odyssey for our core curriculum purposes after reading many MANY reviews from other homeschoolers at Home School Reviews. It's an online curriculum, and so far appears to be very thorough - it starts at the PreK level (still slightly above S's head but too easy for J, he placed in K/1st for math and english) and goes up to 8th grade at this point. Much of the learning happens on screen, but there are plenty of provided activities and printable work sheets to supplement the computer stuff. These pictures were taken today, the very first time we tried the site. Pricing is VERY reasonable and there is a two week evaluation period during which you can get a refund if you decide the program is not for you. Multiple children receive discounts and there is no commitment.

Chores

How my kids help with laundry:


Actually, they *are* pretty helpful - it's nice to not have to bend down to empty the dryer, and they both help sort the laundry into categories (I use this more as an educational excersize than chore work - "make a pile of pants, a pile of shirts, and a pile of socks and undies" or "make a pile of your stuff, and a pile of your sister's stuff"). J can pretty much fold up his own stuff and put it away on his own, so that helps with the amount of time I really have to spend (even a little makes a difference).

Like Crayola?

I don't get anything if you do this, but I entered and thought that someone reading this little blog might appreciate the info...
Crayola^® Sweepstakes at Michaels Craft Store...
Tell other parents to sign up for The Knack by April 30th and they will automatically be entered into the sweepstakes. Five lucky winners will each receive over 250 Crayola products valued at over $1,400! 
Click here to see official rules.

Good Homeschool Materials Source

I'm jumping on the bandwagon - who couldn't use a little extra green? :D

The HSB Front Porch is having a contest and you can win a $50 gift certificate just for blogging about The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Spring Promo before midnight April 30, 2008. Subscribe now to The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and receive 25 BONUS gifts valued at over $550! The Winter Promo sold out, don't miss out on the free gifts this time!

They are also giving away a $150 gift certificate to the Schoolhouse Store. All print subscribers (new or renewing) between April 3 - 30, 2008 will be automatically entered into a drawing. No purchase neccessary to win. To enter without subscribing, please send a postcard with your name, address, telephone number, and email address to:
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine Spring Promo Contest
PO BOX 8426
Gray, TN 37615

Origami Day

Crafts and projects of all kinds are much enjoyed in our house... Today, I introduced the kids to origami by making the easiest thing I could imagine... a frog. All you need is a 3x5 card and a kid (or more) who is bored :D I'm also posting directions to make paper roses, because I think they're neat. Probably too difficult for little kidlets, but wanted to post something difficult too. You can click on links in the individual instructions to see very detailed images of each step of both projects, which should make them easier to complete. Enjoy!


My bored kids ;)


S and J trying to fold their frogs... I pretty much had to do S's for her, but J did a few of the folds quite on his own (which suprised me for some reason)


Any time markers are out in our house it's cause for celebration - I tend to be stingy with them, S is messy (click the picture to see the blue marker stains on the front of her shirt). But what two-year-old isn't? I should lower my standards... or apron them or something. hehe


My finished froggie. It's supposed to be a red-eyed tree frog, but instead it just looks creepy.

Jumping Frog

From , the How To manual you can edit!
Origami Jumping Frog (click this link to see the original article, complete with pictures to help explain in more thorough detail)

Origami can be a fun activity for people of all ages. This easy-to-make jumping frog can be made in about three minutes and can provide hours of entertainment. The sturdiness of the index card makes the frog jump higher and last longer than if you make an origami jumping frog from regular paper. With a few friends and a few more frogs, you can play games like seeing whose frog can jump the farthest or race frogs seeing who can reach the finish line first.

Steps

1. Place a 3" by 5" index card on the table in a portrait orientation (long sides to the left and right).
   
2. Fold the top-right corner of the card diagonally (down and left) until the top of the card meets the left side. The result will look like the figure.
   
3. Unfold the card.
   
4. Fold the top-left corner of the card diagonally (down and right) until the top of the card meets the right side.
   
5. Unfold the card. This will result in an X-shape on the upper portion of the card as shown in the figure.
   
6. Grasp the right and left edges of the card between your thumb and forefinger at the midpoint of the triangles and fold the two sides inward (your thumbs will touch).
   
7. As the top portion of the card folds inward, press it the rest of the way down. The card should resemble a house (see figure).
   
8. Grasp the right corner of the resulting triangle and fold the "wing"upward to the top corner of the triangle.
   
9. Fold the left "wing" upward to the top corner of the triangle as well.
   
10. Fold the right edge of the "house" into the middle so that the right edge meets the vertical center line.
    
11. Fold the left edge of the "house" into the middle so that the left edge meets the vertical center line.
    
12. Fold the bottom of the card up to meet the top and then back again to meet the new fold at the bottom.
    
13. Turn the frog over; it should open up a bit.
    
14. Using the tip of your index finger, press the "butt" of the frog down slightly and release; the frog will jump.

Tips

• After completing a fold, run your thumbnail across the fold while pressing firmly to ensure it is crisp and flat.
  
• Larger card stock can be used to make a larger frog. However, if the proportions are not 3:5 trim it down using scissors or a paper cutter.
  
• Green card stock will make a more realistic-looking frog.
  
• Markers can be used to decorate your frog.
  

Warnings

• Scissors and paper cutters can be dangerous. Keep fingers and clothing away from cutting parts. Parental supervision is advised.
  

Things You'll Need

• One 3" by 5" index card.

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Make an Origami Jumping Frog from an Index Card. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Paper Rose

From , the How To manual you can edit!
How to Fold a Paper Rose (click this link to see the original article, complete with pictures to help explain in more thorough detail)

The simple art of origami may be regarded as pure personal enjoyment, but some may say there are deeper meanings to the art. Since the paper rose signifies everlasting beauty, it can be given to a significant other to impress them or win them over. The following instructions are for an origami rose designed by Toshikazu Kawasaki.

Steps

1. Obtain some colorful, square paper (see "Things You'll Need").
   
2. Face the colorful side of the paper up towards you.
   
3. Fold the square in half so that the decorated side of the paper is folded inside. Open up the paper, turn it over, and draw a black line along the crease of the back side. (The colorful side will be the color of your rose, and that is why lines are drawn on the back (plain) side, so that they will not be seen).
   
4. Fold the lower and upper half in half again, so that the square is equally divided into four parts. Color these creases.
   
5. Rotate the paper and repeat the last two steps, so that now you have 16 little squares.
   
6. Fold the paper diagonally both ways. You should have two lines dividing the paper diagonally, giving you four triangles. This is shown with red lines.
   
7. Fold the paper in half.
   
8. Fold the lower half up one third.
   
9. Open up the paper and rotate it 90 degrees. Repeat the last two steps. This is shown with green lines.
   
10. With each corner, fold black and red lines upwards (valley folds) and green lines inwards (mountain folds).
    
11. Press down on the horizontal and vertical parts counter-clockwise gently, leaving the middle standing out.
    
12. Press down on the four corners of the center part and it should turn into a tiny flat square.
    
13. Turn the paper around so that the colorful side faces up.
    
14. Use labels. To make it easier to understand, label the four parts, then lift up the fourth (lower right) square and rotate it 90 degrees, counterclockwise, to the left vertical border of square two.
    
15. Make sure the two borders align exactly.
    
16. Rotate around to each square and repeat the last two steps with all four squares.
    
17. Round up all four sides, and now you have the basic shape of the rose in your hand.
    
18. Flip the rose upside down. Now you are looking into the inside of the rose.
    
19. Fold down the petals one by one.
    
20. Once you reach the last petal, tuck it under the gap beneath the previous petal.
    
21. Turn it over. Now you have a pretty rose. You can add a stem for it, using wire and a few pieces of leaves with green paper. Now you are done!
    

Tips

• To make it look more realistic, use a thin round pen as a curling tool to curl up the four petals. alternatively you could use a chopstick or if you have one you could use a knitting needle for a tighter curl.
  
• Consider using recycled paper; it's better for the environment.
  

Things You'll Need

• You can use any square piece of paper to fold this rose, although it will be easier if you use one that you can distinguish the front and back side of the paper clearly.
  
• The type of paper used in this demonstration has two sides. The colorful side is the front side of the paper.
  
• The side with only one color is the back side of the paper.
  

Article provided by wikiHow, a collaborative writing project to build the world's largest, highest quality how-to manual. Please edit this article and find author credits at the original wikiHow article on How to Fold a Paper Rose. All content on wikiHow can be shared under a Creative Commons license.

Links We Like

I added a few links to my sidebar today to share with all of you - Sing, Spell, Read & Write (SSRW), Mark Kistler's Draw 3-D and Math Mammoth. I've been using SSRW for a little while now with J and he's been really taking off with reading - at the same time, S has been picking up a lot of I'm teaching and the other day I heard the two of them singing the alphabet together! She also is familiar with a lot of the letter sounds, and when we go through the chart of letters together she echoes the sounds (think "a, a, apple... b, b, ball..."). She surprised me the other day by counting to ten, and again tonight while playing hide & seek she did it with Daddy but instead of echoing the numbers he was saying it was Daddy who was echoing S! I'm pretty impressed with her lately - she's a bright one!

We've been using Mark Kistler's book, Imagination Station (which we loaned from the library and will most likely be purchasing at least one copy of) as part of our art lessons lately and it has really been a HUGE hit in our house. Not only are they learning how to draw, they are learning to be positive and self confident! We also watch Mark on PBS when we get the chance, but we often aren't home when he's on the air so we use his YouTube channel a lot - can't recommend it enough, especially for those of you who are convinced you can't draw (I know you're out there!)

I'm planning on purchasing the 1st Grade math from Math Mammoth for J soon, and I'm going to use it with a couple of books I just ordered from amazon.com: Family Math for Young Children, Comparisons and Family Math, Equals Series because I'm hoping to keep it interesting, both for his sake AND mine! :)

I ordered two other books with those Math books, Games for Writing and The Beginner's Bible, which J insists on carting around everywhere and "reads" CONSTANTLY: he love love loves the pictures and the stories are brief enough that he keeps asking me to keep reading and reading, this is such an awesome thing to hear, "Mommy, can we read my Bible now?" I plan to choose a story or two a week and really focus on it, maybe finding coloring pages or other crafts or some other information like maps or anything I can find... I'm excited to have a good jumping off point for our Bible lesson part of school. Even S will sit and listen to the stories, they're well written and are quite engaging. I can't wait until J can read through one on his own, it will be great to have him "teach" some of school to his Sis.

I know I generally don't get too wordy, but I guess I'm making up for it today! :D

School Day Cuteness

S is really starting to get a great attention span, and often sits and colors quietly while I am assisting J with work that requires my attention:


Here's J working on a page from SSRW. He loves it so far, it combines music, games, workbook stuff... it's great for him because he's so wiggly. I already know I'll be ordering Pre-K for S, I think she's ready for it now and may get it in the next month or so.


Aren't they adorable?!