Friday, August 26, 2011
The day was choppy with a morning doctor's appointment and lunch at the school. The staff at the school have seen our children all summer as we attended the free lunch provided there. Several of the ladies have asked which of our children are going to be attending school there this fall. It has been a bit awkward. At first I simply explained that our daughter would be entering 1st grade. Well, that opened the door. Then more questions came and along with further discussion of her future at the elementary school and how delighted they are to have her as a student. Then I had to explain that we homeschool our children (if only I had said that first).
However, today a lady approached us and she knew from a previous conversation that we homeschool. Today she said,
"Really, Mom? Do you have to homeschool? We would love to have them in our school."
Compliment? Yes. Did she intend any harm? No. My immediate thought to asses the notion... why would I want to send my children to public school? My immediate conclusion; we have a purpose in homeschooling our children. We are raising leaders. There are specific things we want them learn and know and develop. Each family is different and has different needs. It has been decided within our family that the best choice is for us to instruct our children at home. This dear woman does not know that. So, despite the fact that she would love to have our darling children attend their school, and that it is a good school, we are not sending them.
Just with our lesson today about Phillis Wheatley I questioned, are they going to teach my daughter about her rich African American heritage? How will they portray our past? Then the confirmation came again. You are the most qualified to teach her these things. You have been prepared to raise up this great generation. Take courage in knowing that you have made the right choice.
This is so critical for me because yes, I still have doubts on occasion. On a day like today when while at the school lunch and after this lady approached us DC looked at me with sad eyes and begged, "Mom can I please go to school here. Just for a little while to see what it is like. It would be so fun." My heart! It's not that I want to deprive her of her fun. And I am sure that she will have fun in 1st grade (sigh). And then, the day was choppy as we returned home from the doctor and lunch and were expecting a property manager who never showed up at the scheduled time (sigh again). I was distracted which meant the children were distracted which meant it was not a productive school day (sigh AGAIN).
Hold on... keep moving... Pray... and get to work, Nicole!
Here is how our day unfolded:
To The School Room! 12:35
The Pledge of Allegiance
Unit Study: US Presidents - Phillis Sings Out Freedom The Story of George Washington and Phillis Wheatley by Ann Malaspina
HandWriting Without Tears - The Letter "B"
Saxon Math - Lesson 5 -The Calendar and Pictograph of our family
People read Phillis's poems in newspapers but not everyone believed a slave girl could produce such great work. In 1772 Phillis stood before eighteen prestigious men including the governor of the Massachusetts Colony to answer questions that would prove she was the poet of this fine work of poems.
This is the document those men signed in Boston in 1772:
"WE whose Names are underwritten, do assure the World, that the POEMS specified in the following Page were (as we verily believe) written by Phillis, a young Negro Girl, who was but a few Years since, brought an uncultivated Barbarian from Africa, and has ever since been, and now is, under the Disadvantage of serving as a Slave in a family in this Town. She has been examined by some of the best Judges, and is thought qualified to write them."
October 26, 1775 Phillis wrote a letter to General George Washington which included the following poem:
"Proceed, great chief, with virtue on thy side,
Thy ev'ry action let the goddess guide.
A crown, a mansion, and a throne that shine,
With gold unfading, WASHINGTON! be thine."
Phillis was freed from slavery in 1773. She tried to sell her poems for a living but, during the war, people were saving their money for food and clothing. She worked in a hotel. She married a freed black man named John Peters. They had two children who died. Phillis died on December 5, 1784. She was about thirty-one. She had a newborn baby prior to her death and the two were buried together in an unmarked grave.
FREEDOM
and
THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST
bless the Freeman Family in these Latter-days
Happiness is Homemade
Saturday, August 27, 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011
Day FOUR - George Washington and His Teeth
Thursday, August 25, 2011
George Washington's Teeth by Deborah Chandra and Madeleine Comora was a hit today. The children thought it was a funny story. After reading it during the day, they requested it as a bedtime story tonight. CR's favorite part was when George Washington searches everywhere for his old teeth that have fallen out.
"He searched Mount Vernon's bedchambers, pantry, parlor, halls, through shelves, desk drawers, and the musty floor."
DC diligently worked on a representation of Joseph and Emma Smith's family. She colored and cut out each family member and then glued them carefully onto one sheet. Their names are listed under each figure and a black or red circle to signify if they died during childhood or if they lived to be an adult. Joseph and Emma had eleven children. Six (Alva, Thaddeus, Louisa, Joseph, Don Carlos and infant son) died in early childhood and five (Julia, Joseph III, Frederick, Alexander, and David) lived to be adults.
This is how our day unfolded:
To The School Room! 10:05
The Pledge of Allegiance
Unit Study: US Presidents - George Washington Silhouette and "George Washington's Teeth" by Deborah Chandra and Medeleine Comora
HandWriting Without Tears - The Letter "P"
Saxon Math - Lesson 5 -The Calendar and Teddy Bear Counters
Unit Study: LDS Presidents - Joseph and Emma's Family
Charlotte Mason Style Language Lessons: color the butterfly sequence and Review "Fuzzy Wuzzy, Creepy Crawly poem by Lillian Schulz
Geography: The British Isles - locate on world map and finish "B is for Big Ben" by Pamela Duncan
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons - Lesson 4
Joseph's mother, Lucy Mack Smith said this of Emma, " I have never seen a woman in my life, who would endure every species of fatigue and hardship, from month to month, and from year to year with that unflinching courage, zeal, and patience, which she has ever done." (Lucy Mack Smith, History of Joseph Smith, pp.190-91.)
COURAGE
ZEAL
PATIENCE
Emma was an elect lady.
George Washington's Teeth by Deborah Chandra and Madeleine Comora was a hit today. The children thought it was a funny story. After reading it during the day, they requested it as a bedtime story tonight. CR's favorite part was when George Washington searches everywhere for his old teeth that have fallen out.
"He searched Mount Vernon's bedchambers, pantry, parlor, halls, through shelves, desk drawers, and the musty floor."
DC diligently worked on a representation of Joseph and Emma Smith's family. She colored and cut out each family member and then glued them carefully onto one sheet. Their names are listed under each figure and a black or red circle to signify if they died during childhood or if they lived to be an adult. Joseph and Emma had eleven children. Six (Alva, Thaddeus, Louisa, Joseph, Don Carlos and infant son) died in early childhood and five (Julia, Joseph III, Frederick, Alexander, and David) lived to be adults.
This is how our day unfolded:
To The School Room! 10:05
The Pledge of Allegiance
Unit Study: US Presidents - George Washington Silhouette and "George Washington's Teeth" by Deborah Chandra and Medeleine Comora
HandWriting Without Tears - The Letter "P"
Saxon Math - Lesson 5 -The Calendar and Teddy Bear Counters
Unit Study: LDS Presidents - Joseph and Emma's Family
Charlotte Mason Style Language Lessons: color the butterfly sequence and Review "Fuzzy Wuzzy, Creepy Crawly poem by Lillian Schulz
Geography: The British Isles - locate on world map and finish "B is for Big Ben" by Pamela Duncan
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons - Lesson 4
Joseph's mother, Lucy Mack Smith said this of Emma, " I have never seen a woman in my life, who would endure every species of fatigue and hardship, from month to month, and from year to year with that unflinching courage, zeal, and patience, which she has ever done." (Lucy Mack Smith, History of Joseph Smith, pp.190-91.)
COURAGE
ZEAL
PATIENCE
Emma was an elect lady.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Day THREE - Does that mean that she "tooted" a lot?
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
We are studying the British Isles. I continued to read to the children "B is for Big Ben".
"Q is for Queens
Six queens in all
Have sat on the royal throne.
Two of them were the greatest monarchs
that England has ever known."
We started to discuss who these great women of influence were. I started with Elizabeth Tudor. DC immediately had a puzzled expression on her face and then she innocently asked, "Does that mean she tooted a lot?" I couldn't conceal my laughter as I suddenly caught on to what she was thinking. When I explained that Tudor and tooted were completely different, we all had a good laugh. Learning can be so fun!
Here is how our day unfolded:
To The School Room! 9:35
The Pledge of Allegiance
Unit Study: US Presidents - George Washington An Adventure in Courage by Victoria Crenson and National Geographic Our Country's First Ladies by Ann Bausum
HandWriting Without Tears - The Letter "D"
Saxon Math - The Calendar and Bear Counters
Unit Study: LDS Presidents - Joseph and Emma
It was a beautiful day outside. The sun was shining, the temperature was moderate and there was a refreshing breeze. So, we took our studies outside and sat on the red blanket on the grassy lawn. It truly was a moment for my "Ideal Musings of Blissful Motherhood". I am thankful that I was able to capture that moment today.
Charlotte Mason Style Language Lessons: "Fuzzy Wuzzy, Creepy Crawly poem by Lillian Schulz
Geography: The British Isles - "B is for Big Ben" by Pamela Duncan
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons - Lessons 3 and 4
I was inspired by the following quote we discussed today:
"I have learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances."
- Martha Washington
We are studying the British Isles. I continued to read to the children "B is for Big Ben".
"Q is for Queens
Six queens in all
Have sat on the royal throne.
Two of them were the greatest monarchs
that England has ever known."
We started to discuss who these great women of influence were. I started with Elizabeth Tudor. DC immediately had a puzzled expression on her face and then she innocently asked, "Does that mean she tooted a lot?" I couldn't conceal my laughter as I suddenly caught on to what she was thinking. When I explained that Tudor and tooted were completely different, we all had a good laugh. Learning can be so fun!
Here is how our day unfolded:
To The School Room! 9:35
The Pledge of Allegiance
Unit Study: US Presidents - George Washington An Adventure in Courage by Victoria Crenson and National Geographic Our Country's First Ladies by Ann Bausum
HandWriting Without Tears - The Letter "D"
Saxon Math - The Calendar and Bear Counters
Unit Study: LDS Presidents - Joseph and Emma
It was a beautiful day outside. The sun was shining, the temperature was moderate and there was a refreshing breeze. So, we took our studies outside and sat on the red blanket on the grassy lawn. It truly was a moment for my "Ideal Musings of Blissful Motherhood". I am thankful that I was able to capture that moment today.
Charlotte Mason Style Language Lessons: "Fuzzy Wuzzy, Creepy Crawly poem by Lillian Schulz
Geography: The British Isles - "B is for Big Ben" by Pamela Duncan
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons - Lessons 3 and 4
I was inspired by the following quote we discussed today:
"I have learned from experience that the greater part of our happiness or misery depends upon our dispositions, and not upon our circumstances."
- Martha Washington
Day TWO -" What did you learn today?"
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
We were visiting the Maine grandparents Monday evening.
"Oh, it was the first day of school, what did you learn?" asked MJ.
"Nothing" replied DC.
After returning home from work on Tuesday, Darrel asked NR,
"What did you learn today?"
"Nothing." replied NR.
"Nothing?" Darrel repeated.
"Nothing." NR assured him.
"Well, did you talk about George Washington?"
"Oh, yeah. He was the first President of the United States and his picture in on the dollar bill." NR informed him.
"Oh, so you did learn something." Darrel said.
"Yeah. I did." NR said.
Take note: you must ask a specific question in order to receive a more desirable answer.
This is how the day unfolded:
To The School Room! 9:00
The Pledge of Allegiance
Unit Study: US Presidents - George Washington Coloring sheet and review the facts
HandWriting Without Tears - The Letter "E"
Saxon Math - The Calendar and Pattern Blocks
SNACK -Applesauce and popcorn :)
Unit Study: LDS Presidents - Joseph and Emma
Charlotte Mason Style Language Lessons: "The Swing" poem by Robert Louis Stevenson
Geography: The British Isles - Facts about Big Ben
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons - Lessons 1 and 2
When Darrel came home from work he read "The Swing" and taught the children about Big Ben while I prepared dinner.
We have a house full of artists. They all love drawing and coloring. CR suggested we hang our art work around the school room. Sounds good to me!
DC has come to me in the afternoon looking rather bored. She has even said, " Mom, what can I do now, I'm bored." There was a post I read on this blog that I need to review. I do not want to be the entertainer. I want them to use their own creative minds.
At the end of the day, the children are more exhausted (I can include myself in that scenario). We are all adjusting to our new schedule and hopefully by Monday we'll feel as if we have settled into our routine.
We were visiting the Maine grandparents Monday evening.
"Oh, it was the first day of school, what did you learn?" asked MJ.
"Nothing" replied DC.
After returning home from work on Tuesday, Darrel asked NR,
"What did you learn today?"
"Nothing." replied NR.
"Nothing?" Darrel repeated.
"Nothing." NR assured him.
"Well, did you talk about George Washington?"
"Oh, yeah. He was the first President of the United States and his picture in on the dollar bill." NR informed him.
"Oh, so you did learn something." Darrel said.
"Yeah. I did." NR said.
Take note: you must ask a specific question in order to receive a more desirable answer.
This is how the day unfolded:
To The School Room! 9:00
The Pledge of Allegiance
Unit Study: US Presidents - George Washington Coloring sheet and review the facts
HandWriting Without Tears - The Letter "E"
Saxon Math - The Calendar and Pattern Blocks
SNACK -Applesauce and popcorn :)
Unit Study: LDS Presidents - Joseph and Emma
Charlotte Mason Style Language Lessons: "The Swing" poem by Robert Louis Stevenson
Geography: The British Isles - Facts about Big Ben
Teach Your Child to Read in 100 Easy Lessons - Lessons 1 and 2
When Darrel came home from work he read "The Swing" and taught the children about Big Ben while I prepared dinner.
We have a house full of artists. They all love drawing and coloring. CR suggested we hang our art work around the school room. Sounds good to me!
DC has come to me in the afternoon looking rather bored. She has even said, " Mom, what can I do now, I'm bored." There was a post I read on this blog that I need to review. I do not want to be the entertainer. I want them to use their own creative minds.
At the end of the day, the children are more exhausted (I can include myself in that scenario). We are all adjusting to our new schedule and hopefully by Monday we'll feel as if we have settled into our routine.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Morning Devotional/Eight Before Eight
Morning Devotional - Just a word about the MD... I have read about various families who have a morning devotional and it was great for them but I was not a fan. It just didn't resonate with me. AND... I did not witness it for myself so, it was hard to envision for my own family. Well... I was struggling with getting the day started and I was concerned about our success for school knowing that the morning did not have an "official" start and it was hard to jump right into school. I needed a way to transition. The MD concept came back to me and I said,"I'll give it a try". We started on August 9th and it has made a remarkable difference in our day. It has sort of... grounded us for the day.
Long story short, I am a fan of the MD.
Date: 23 August 2011
Music: Stand For The Right # 159
Prayer: Mom (each person has a day of the week assigned to them for prayers and other "special" things- Tuesday is Darrel but when he is not here, myself or one of the children fill in).
Family Motto
Scripture story: Old Testament Stories- Joseph's Brothers in Egypt (chapter 14)
Scripture Memorization: Moses 7:18 (we follow seminary Old Testament Scripture Mastery)
The Friend: The Lookout Girls (July 2011 p.16-17)
Review Schedule/Calendar:
Review Weather: 77* high 55* low Mostly Sunny
Breakfast and Books: Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder Chapter 4 CHRISTMAS
Morning 8B48
Make Bed
Get Dressed
Eat Breakfast
Brush Teeth
Wash Face
Drink 1 cup of water
Get out clothes for tomorrow and Pajamas for tonight and lay them on bed
Chore - We call it a "Quick Sweep"
Evening 8B48
Journal
Quick Sweep
Brush Teeth
Use the Bathroom
Bath
Put on Pajamas
Scriptures and Article of Faith
Prayers
Long story short, I am a fan of the MD.
Date: 23 August 2011
Music: Stand For The Right # 159
Prayer: Mom (each person has a day of the week assigned to them for prayers and other "special" things- Tuesday is Darrel but when he is not here, myself or one of the children fill in).
Family Motto
Scripture story: Old Testament Stories- Joseph's Brothers in Egypt (chapter 14)
Scripture Memorization: Moses 7:18 (we follow seminary Old Testament Scripture Mastery)
The Friend: The Lookout Girls (July 2011 p.16-17)
Review Schedule/Calendar:
Review Weather: 77* high 55* low Mostly Sunny
Breakfast and Books: Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder Chapter 4 CHRISTMAS
Morning 8B48
Make Bed
Get Dressed
Eat Breakfast
Brush Teeth
Wash Face
Drink 1 cup of water
Get out clothes for tomorrow and Pajamas for tonight and lay them on bed
Chore - We call it a "Quick Sweep"
Evening 8B48
Journal
Quick Sweep
Brush Teeth
Use the Bathroom
Bath
Put on Pajamas
Scriptures and Article of Faith
Prayers
Thursday, August 18, 2011
First Day of School
Monday, August 22, 2011
I have been pouring over my homeschool help books, homeschool blogs that I follow and anything pertaining to homeschooling in preparation for our school year. Finally, we started today, Monday, August 22, 2011. I say "started" because this is the first year I am required to report to the state. So, we will be documenting our studies and tracking our progress on a consistent basis.
The kids were sooo excited to begin. They got up extra early and CLEANED the school room. They even vacuumed! WOW! I was grateful to have my husband home on our first day of school. At the end of the day he admitted that he had a deeper appreciation for what I do and what we are embarking on as homeschooling parents... meaning it is a lot of WORK... with deeper rewards to match our efforts.
It was a rocky start as we juggled the younger children and tried to keep the older ones engaged in activity/instruction with little to no down time. Overall it was great! I was pleased to witness their enthusiasm and will pray that I can keep it fun, inviting and inspiring all year long.
I'm so glad we're homeschooling!
This is how our day unfolded:
Wake up
Get dressed
Breakfast
Morning Devotional in the living Room
Eight Before Eight Morning Routine (while Mom gets ready for school... last minute items)
Check off each child on completion of 8B48
To The School Room! 9:25
The Pledge of Allegiance
Unit Study: US Presidents - The White House Coloring sheet and review the facts
HandWriting Without Tears - The Letter "F"
Saxon Math - The Calendar and Pattern Blocks
SNACK - Fresh Fruit 10:30
Unit Study: LDS Presidents - The role of a prophet
Charlotte Mason Style Language Lessons: "Blackberry Picking" by James Clarke Hook
Geography: The British Isles - Map coloring page and book reading "B is for Big Ben" by Pamela Duncan Edwards. Illustrated by Melanie Rose
LUNCH 11:25
Recess (the children insisted that I specifically call their time outside to play - RECESS. It was too cute. Nicolas said, "Don't forget, Mom, we have to have recess." 12:30
Family bike ride 4:00
Dinner
Eight Before Eight Evening Routine
Now let us go to bed... get up in the morning and do it all again!
I have been pouring over my homeschool help books, homeschool blogs that I follow and anything pertaining to homeschooling in preparation for our school year. Finally, we started today, Monday, August 22, 2011. I say "started" because this is the first year I am required to report to the state. So, we will be documenting our studies and tracking our progress on a consistent basis.
The kids were sooo excited to begin. They got up extra early and CLEANED the school room. They even vacuumed! WOW! I was grateful to have my husband home on our first day of school. At the end of the day he admitted that he had a deeper appreciation for what I do and what we are embarking on as homeschooling parents... meaning it is a lot of WORK... with deeper rewards to match our efforts.
It was a rocky start as we juggled the younger children and tried to keep the older ones engaged in activity/instruction with little to no down time. Overall it was great! I was pleased to witness their enthusiasm and will pray that I can keep it fun, inviting and inspiring all year long.
I'm so glad we're homeschooling!
This is how our day unfolded:
Wake up
Get dressed
Breakfast
Morning Devotional in the living Room
Eight Before Eight Morning Routine (while Mom gets ready for school... last minute items)
Check off each child on completion of 8B48
To The School Room! 9:25
The Pledge of Allegiance
Unit Study: US Presidents - The White House Coloring sheet and review the facts
HandWriting Without Tears - The Letter "F"
Saxon Math - The Calendar and Pattern Blocks
SNACK - Fresh Fruit 10:30
Unit Study: LDS Presidents - The role of a prophet
Charlotte Mason Style Language Lessons: "Blackberry Picking" by James Clarke Hook
Geography: The British Isles - Map coloring page and book reading "B is for Big Ben" by Pamela Duncan Edwards. Illustrated by Melanie Rose
LUNCH 11:25
Recess (the children insisted that I specifically call their time outside to play - RECESS. It was too cute. Nicolas said, "Don't forget, Mom, we have to have recess." 12:30
Family bike ride 4:00
Dinner
Eight Before Eight Evening Routine
Now let us go to bed... get up in the morning and do it all again!
Friday, July 22, 2011
Fun, Fun, Fun!
We are so grateful for our friends in Caribou. Even though we were playing with them lots, I only have these photos??? What happened? I was meaning to capture the bird nest creation. That was awesome and they worked on it for hours. Hannah captured the costume parade and sprinkler fun. My kids still ask if we can buy the swirly sprinkler every time we are in W Mart. We went to the park together and they let us come over when the weather was bad and we just needed to get out. We had a lot of fun together and even though we were sad to leave... we are happy that we will be returning!
Here we are at the Dinosaur Park along the trail picking flowers. The best thing about our kids playing together is that their imaginations would think up such grand adventures. I know there are more adventures to come!
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