Wednesday, August 6, 2014

Curriculum 2014-2015

Well, it's almost that time of year again!
I am excited to get back into routine and have some cooler, beautiful Oregon Autumn weather.
I have most of our school year figured out, but I have yet to sit down and write it out, that's what August is for ;)
We will be starting school the week following Labor day.


Last year was the first year I can honestly say we all loved the curriculum we used so we will be sticking with it again this year.

this year we will be in year 2, Paths of Settlement.
The curriculum for this year is geared for 4th-6th grade, and I only have 1 kid that actually fits in that range.
BUT, I will just have my 3rd grader do most of the 4th grade work, but not all, and I purchased the middle school supplement for my 8th grader.   My first grader will just do what he wants and finds interesting {i.e. the nature studies}.


For math this year my 2 oldest kids will be trying out Teaching Textbooks.  We have never used this before but I am thrilled to have them learning on the computer without my involvement. 
*cough*  
the third grader will be sticking with Rod & Staff math for now.

The only part of the Trail Guide series I didn't love last year was the spelling, so all kids will be trying out the Phonetic Zoo by IEW.

In addition, each kid will do a daily grammar page from Evan Moore and we will be adding in some 'extras' here and there along the way with art and science.
the 3rd grader will continue doing some Explode the Code along with my 1st grader.
The 1st grader found some Star Wars workbooks at Fred Meyer and begged for them, and well, since I wasn't sure what I was doing for him yet anyways I just bought those.  I'm sure they're not the *best* I could be using, but he's excited about them and I take school pretty light the first years anyhow. 


Happy Planning!
I'm joining the
blog hop
nbts-blog-hop-2014



Saturday, July 26, 2014

Book Recommendations for Mamas!

First off,
I read Last Child In The Woods last month.

While this book was a little tedious to read because of the statistical info and psychology stuff, the point of it was something EVERY parent needs to hear.
The author explains how much of today's culture has pushed kids into a 'nature-deficit disorder' psyche, and why it needs to change.
It was great information, some of which I had never thought of and some which I had.
I highly recommend.

The other mama book I recommend is Surprised by Motherhood.

Product Details
Lisa-Jo Baker does not tell you how to be a better mom, how to discipline, etc, etc.
It is NOT a parenting and/or self-help book.  It is basically Lisa-Jo's biography and how she became a parent after yrs of not wanting to be.
It is honest and beautiful.
I teared up on a few occasions and laughed out loud at others.

Happy Reading!




Tuesday, July 15, 2014

summer flowers...


summer flowers.  
one of life's simple pleasures that bring me so much joy...












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