tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23084561581232556902024-03-13T05:24:41.971-07:00The Homeschool BelleTips for keeping it together, keeping it real and keeping you sane!The Homeschool Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18238909575117289490noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308456158123255690.post-88929155036932103122014-08-11T03:57:00.001-07:002014-08-11T06:02:59.690-07:00Our New School Room & A Freebie!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Welcome to week 2 of <a href="http://www.ihomeschoolnetwork.com/6th-annual-not-back-to-school-blog-hop-school-room-week/" target="_blank">iHomeschool Network</a>'s Not Back to School Blog Hop. It's School Room Week. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ihomeschoolnetwork.com/6th-annual-not-back-to-school-blog-hop-school-room-week/" target="_blank"><img alt="nbts-blog-hop-calendar-2014" src="http://www.ihomeschoolnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/nbts-blog-hop-calendar-2014.jpg" height="263" width="320" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After three moves in 2 years - yes you read that right - we are finally settling into our 'forever' home out in the country. We have 3 1/2 acres of our own, but we live right next door to a 100 acre farm. As I type, I'm watching the pretty little soybean plants billowing in the breeze along the hill out my window. After all the insanity we've endured, we are so blessed to call this place home. The best part.... our finished, walk-out basement has a large bedroom that has become our new school room. It even has a nice, big window and a walk-in closet. You bet I was drooling when we walked through this house!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So let's start the tour.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jbs-53MnK8w/U-fdflpFC1I/AAAAAAAADfk/H2uWqNLW17c/s1600/IMG_3692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Jbs-53MnK8w/U-fdflpFC1I/AAAAAAAADfk/H2uWqNLW17c/s1600/IMG_3692.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The view as you walk in.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nt_3oUOcvaM/U-fQe99skhI/AAAAAAAADe0/NRU4p4qduGM/s1600/IMG_3705.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Nt_3oUOcvaM/U-fQe99skhI/AAAAAAAADe0/NRU4p4qduGM/s1600/IMG_3705.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My 6th Grader on the left; My 3rd Grader on the right. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My 8th Grader chose to work upstairs in her room to help her concentrate. </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Each of my children have their own computers. They are completely antiquated boat anchors, but still run most software and websites. But, at $20 a pop, they were a steal and we won't complain. Unfortunately, this year has some challenges as we have limited internet data usage out here in the sticks. That means any streaming is out of the question :( So now we've become the phycho people at the library watching videos and downloading like mad instead of just casually perusing all the books. Honestly, it's a little embarassing.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jVLzWVXtGtI/U-fQiDa6IwI/AAAAAAAADfI/0MZc-QY2RNA/s1600/IMG_3700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jVLzWVXtGtI/U-fQiDa6IwI/AAAAAAAADfI/0MZc-QY2RNA/s1600/IMG_3700.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our center wall with all the great helps as we cover World Geography this year.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hvq-dexB350/U-fQhjMe3EI/AAAAAAAADfA/BF8d1Bl2T6c/s1600/IMG_3707.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hvq-dexB350/U-fQhjMe3EI/AAAAAAAADfA/BF8d1Bl2T6c/s1600/IMG_3707.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our crates of books for My Father's World Exploring Countries and Cultures</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HhjjfkfeSIg/U-fQblzhuDI/AAAAAAAADeg/h5sHi4tgnjQ/s1600/IMG_3697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HhjjfkfeSIg/U-fQblzhuDI/AAAAAAAADeg/h5sHi4tgnjQ/s1600/IMG_3697.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ok, the rocking chair may be a bit much, but I've had it since I was pregnant with my oldest and I've rocked all my babies here. So I just CANNOT part with it. Since it didn't have anywhere else to go in the house, a yellow pillow from Target was my attempt at making it fit, hahaha! </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B55IWvdj9T9fSjdqaEJfeHFUcVk/edit" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0GO6o7NQyJQ/U-gCsmdmGSI/AAAAAAAADf0/4DvvetQLbxY/s1600/IMG_3698.JPG" height="213" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B55IWvdj9T9fSjdqaEJfeHFUcVk/edit" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">click here to get this freebie!</span></a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The sign on the wall above the chair says "Our Book Explorations" to go along with our geography theme and I've included this a<a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B55IWvdj9T9fSjdqaEJfeHFUcVk/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank"> freebie</a> for all of you! I found little book-shaped cut-outs from the dollar store as well. When the kids finish a book throughout the year, we will write it on the 'book' and stick them up on the wall so they can see all they've read. I just find the 'Date/Title/Pages Read' reading logs a bit tedious. This is my attempt to keep it more visually motivating. </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bHibQIApzL0/U-fQbpRefhI/AAAAAAAADeY/wDLF3oBLf4o/s1600/IMG_3699.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bHibQIApzL0/U-fQbpRefhI/AAAAAAAADeY/wDLF3oBLf4o/s1600/IMG_3699.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Also hanging from the shelves are some tools we use to expand on our reading skills. <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Story-Elements-Question-Fans-432001" target="_blank">Story Elements Question Fans</a> from Runde's Room have some great questions about Character, Plot, Setting, etc. And for my 3rd grader, we use <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Blooms-Buttons-440161" target="_blank">Bloom's Buttons</a> from Colleen Alaniz. She also has <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Blooms-ButtonsNonfiction-Neons-1332221" target="_blank">Bloom's Buttons for non-fiction </a>now as well! I LOVE the look of these! I have my son choose two or three buttons from the jar (without looking) and we choose a question with the corresponding colors. It works kinda like a game, so my little guy is actually excited about answering questions about our reading.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RfLyPgjYVj8/U-fQbwuFG0I/AAAAAAAADec/MLUf4VJX3kk/s1600/IMG_3693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RfLyPgjYVj8/U-fQbwuFG0I/AAAAAAAADec/MLUf4VJX3kk/s1600/IMG_3693.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Daily Schedule on the left and we have our white board up - FINALLY!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bHynOjyfT3k/U-fR8VJLO2I/AAAAAAAADfU/c_ye7f5GHMY/s1600/IMG_3709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bHynOjyfT3k/U-fR8VJLO2I/AAAAAAAADfU/c_ye7f5GHMY/s1600/IMG_3709.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My desk with my Teacher's Manuals separated by child on the shelf above.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am so thankful to be out of cardboard boxes and finally in our home. We are loving it out here and enjoyed our first week back to school. I can't wait to make some awesome memories learning together in our fun new room.</span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y8GI199XvLY/T6pqtSajDPI/AAAAAAAACZQ/qoLz7BkF1pM/s1600/Signature.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y8GI199XvLY/T6pqtSajDPI/AAAAAAAACZQ/qoLz7BkF1pM/s1600/Signature.jpg" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8rieO_VY4OI/TqBRvne8r8I/AAAAAAAAAHA/UhOWPgIJJEY/s1600/Love+Comments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8rieO_VY4OI/TqBRvne8r8I/AAAAAAAAAHA/UhOWPgIJJEY/s1600/Love+Comments.jpg" /></a></span><br />
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<div class="fb-like" data-href="http://homeschoolbelle.blogspot.com" data-send="true" data-width="450" data-show-faces="true"></div></div>The Homeschool Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18238909575117289490noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308456158123255690.post-35557006072931652712014-08-06T09:28:00.002-07:002014-08-06T09:40:44.937-07:00Curriculum Week Link-Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VNg5aOhN_gc/U-IqT1vhpoI/AAAAAAAADc4/5RFj9jzKL_s/s1600/spines.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VNg5aOhN_gc/U-IqT1vhpoI/AAAAAAAADc4/5RFj9jzKL_s/s1600/spines.jpg" height="155" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's that time again, can you believe it? Back to school is upon us and here at our home, we began our school year this week. We decided that we wanted more breaks throughout the year to avoid the crazy burn-out we often face, so we're off and running.
This year, I have an 8th, 6th and 3rd grader. I can't believe my babies are growing so fast! </span><br />
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<a href="http://www.ihomeschoolnetwork.com/6th-annual-not-back-to-school-blog-hop-curriculum-week/" target="_blank"><img alt="nbts-blog-hop-2014" src="http://www.ihomeschoolnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/nbts-blog-hop-2014.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'm happy to be joining again with the iHomeschool Network's Not Back-To-School Blog Hop. So in honor of <a href="http://www.ihomeschoolnetwork.com/6th-annual-not-back-to-school-blog-hop-curriculum-week/" target="_blank">Curriculum Week</a>, here's what we're all studying this year:</span></div>
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<td align="LEFT" height="24" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></i></b></td>
<td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">3rd Grade</span></i></b></td>
<td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">6th Grade</span></i></b></td>
<td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;"><b><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">8th Grade</span></i></b></td>
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<td align="LEFT" height="37" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Math</span></i></td>
<td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://store.mathusee.com/catalog/math-u-see/general-math/gamma/gamma.html" target="_blank">MUS Gamma</a></span></td>
<td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://store.mathusee.com/catalog/math-u-see/general-math/zeta/zeta.html" target="_blank">MUS Zeta</a></span></td>
<td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="https://store.mathusee.com/catalog/math-u-see/secondary-math/prealgebra/prealgebra.html" target="_blank">MUS Pre-Algebra</a></span></td>
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<td align="LEFT" height="37" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Science</span></i></td>
<td align="CENTER" rowspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.mfwbooks.com/products/M50/40/10/0/1" target="_blank">MFW Exploring Countries and Cultures</a></span></td>
<td align="CENTER" rowspan="2" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.mfwbooks.com/products/M50/40/10/0/1" target="_blank">MFW Exploring Countries and Cultures</a></span></td>
<td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/earth-science-student-text-fourth-edition/terrance-egolf/9781606820704/pd/271486?product_redirect=1&Ntt=271486&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP" target="_blank">BJU Earth Science</a></span></td>
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<td align="LEFT" height="37" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Geography</span></i></td>
<td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/bju-geography-student-text-grade-9/9781591664963/pd/331514" target="_blank">BJU Cultural Geography</a></span></td>
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<td align="LEFT" height="37" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Reading</span></i></td>
<td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/bju-reading-grade-3-homeschool-kit/pd/236463" target="_blank">BJU Reading 3</a></span></td>
<td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/bju-reading-grade-6-homeschool-kit/pd/236737" target="_blank">BJU Reading 6</a></span></td>
<td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/excursions-literature-grade-8-third-edition/9781591665359/pd/233098" target="_blank">BJU Literature 8</a></span></td>
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<td align="LEFT" height="55" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Writing</span></i></td>
<td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/fascinating-writing-lessons-structure-revised-edition/lori-verstegen/9780980100525/pd/901005?product_redirect=1&Ntt=901005&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP" target="_blank">All Things Fun & Fascinating</a></span></td>
<td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/teaching-writing-structure-style-dvds-workbook/andrew-pudewa/9780984099092/pd/123620" target="_blank">Institute for Excellence in Writing</a></span></td>
<td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/writing-lessons-building-analytical-third-edition/lesha-myers/9780977986019/pd/986019?product_redirect=1&Ntt=986019&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP" target="_blank">IEW Elegant Essay</a></span></td>
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<td align="LEFT" height="37" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Spelling </span><span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Using with <a href="http://www.christianbook.com/how-to-teach-spelling/laura-rudginski/9780838818473/pd/41847?product_redirect=1&Ntt=41847&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP" target="_blank">How To Teach Spelling</a>)</span></span></i></td>
<td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/how-to-spell-level-2-grades/laura-rudginski/9780838818503/pd/41850" target="_blank">How To Spell, Book 2</a></span></td>
<td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/how-to-spell-level-3-grades/laura-rudgins/9780838818527/pd/41852?event=CF" target="_blank">How To Spell, Book 3</a></span></td>
<td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/how-to-spell-workbook-grades-12/laura-rudginski/9780838818541/pd/41854?event=CF" target="_blank">How To Spell, Book 4</a></span></td>
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<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="24" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Vocab</span></i></td>
<td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">--part of rdg--</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">--part of rdg--</span></td>
<td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/proddtl.php?id=021838" target="_blank">Marie's Words</a></span></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="55" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Grammar</span></i></td>
<td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/language-trained-level-3-student-workbook/jessie-wise/9781933339085/pd/412983" target="_blank">First Language Lessons, Level 3</a></span></td>
<td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Glencoe-Language-Grammar-Workbook-Grade/dp/0078205395" target="_blank">Glencoe Grammar and Language 6</a></span></td>
<td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Glencoe-Language-Grammar-Workbook-Grade/dp/0078205417/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407336425&sr=8-1&keywords=glencoe+grammar+and+language+workbook+grade+8" target="_blank">Glencoe Grammar and Language 8</a></span></td>
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<tr>
<td align="LEFT" height="55" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;">Logic</span></i></td>
<td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hands--Thinking-Activities-Centers-Through/dp/155799370X/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407336632&sr=1-4&keywords=evan+moor+hands-on+thinking" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hands-On Thinking Activities</span></a></u></td><td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cols="4"><tbody>
<tr><td align="CENTER" style="border: 1px solid rgb(0, 0, 0);" valign="MIDDLE"><u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Hands--Thinking-Activities-Centers-Through/dp/155799370X/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407336632&sr=1-4&keywords=evan+moor+hands-on+thinking" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hands-On Thinking Activities</span></a></u></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</td><td align="CENTER" style="border-bottom: 1px solid #000000; border-left: 1px solid #000000; border-right: 1px solid #000000; border-top: 1px solid #000000;" valign="MIDDLE"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/argument-introduction-informal-fallacies-student-revised/aaron-larsen/9781600510182/pd/510183" target="_blank">The Art of Argument</a></span></td>
</tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h8upH_-v36c/U-JKcNCSW-I/AAAAAAAADdQ/z6uifAI8z5E/s1600/prealg-student.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-h8upH_-v36c/U-JKcNCSW-I/AAAAAAAADdQ/z6uifAI8z5E/s1600/prealg-student.jpg" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For math, we are still sticking with Math-U-See. This has served us well all 4 years of our homeschool journey, so we are sticking with it for year 5.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_EI6QP0PMos/U-IfkN2VBKI/AAAAAAAADcM/kUA9XuPLivs/s1600/ECC.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_EI6QP0PMos/U-IfkN2VBKI/AAAAAAAADcM/kUA9XuPLivs/s1600/ECC.jpg" height="200" width="152" /></a><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I decided to try something new for Geography/Science this year by choosing something already planned out for me. Wow, what a difference that has been. I'm loving it! I use this for my younger two while my eighth grader has opted to begin her high school credits by using a 9th grade geography course from BJU.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She is also using BJU's Earth Science. She is a visual learner, so she prefers texts that organize information in a clear and colorful fashion. While I don't LOVE anything about these books, they are rigorous, thorough and well-organized.</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MpeKMax6cn8/U-JLoa0L-OI/AAAAAAAADdk/HLYJISqVHg8/s1600/Glencoe+Grammar+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MpeKMax6cn8/U-JLoa0L-OI/AAAAAAAADdk/HLYJISqVHg8/s1600/Glencoe+Grammar+8.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Grammar has been a challenge for us. I am a bit of a Grammar nerd, so this is an important subject to me. Some of the popular curricula offer review, but no good reference if you need a refresher. Some are so tediously repetative, that we all feel we are wasting our time. The Glencoe choices seem to get to the point without rambling or confusing my students. This is our first time using them, so I'll keep you posted as the year progresses.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And spelling. Aaaaaahhhh, spelling. This has been the bane of my existence year after year. I just can never seem to find the right balance of actually TEACHING HOW to spell without bogging myself down teaching 3 kids at 3 different levels. We have used <a href="http://www.christianbook.com/how-to-teach-spelling/laura-rudginski/9780838818473/pd/41847?product_redirect=1&Ntt=41847&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP" target="_blank">HTTS</a> in the past, but struggled with how to implement it. </span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nKmbu6x3BxI/U-IhRfsdJeI/AAAAAAAADcY/2sfoR2coj5A/s1600/HTS2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nKmbu6x3BxI/U-IhRfsdJeI/AAAAAAAADcY/2sfoR2coj5A/s1600/HTS2.jpg" height="200" width="152" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year, after learning a lot from using All About Spelling, I am formatting it very much the same way (Rule, Words, Sentence Dictation, Test on all of the above). We are also utilizing the workbooks this year as well. This book even includes a sound sheet and marries phonics with spelling and its rules. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">An exciting find for me this year is a vocabulary tool called Marie's Words. Again, perfect for my lovely visual learner. These cards come pre-punched with a large ring in the box. Each vocabulary word comes with a visual picture that portrays the definition on the front and the definition, part of speech, antonyms and synonyms on the back.</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KpF4lFJPOOA/U-JXOanIO3I/AAAAAAAADeI/2gjS8uw3tlI/s1600/Marie's+Words1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KpF4lFJPOOA/U-JXOanIO3I/AAAAAAAADeI/2gjS8uw3tlI/s1600/Marie's+Words1.jpg" height="209" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, we are off to a great start....here on day 3. Hehehe! I hope now in our 5th year, we have worked some of the bugs out of our curriculum choices and we can have at least somewhat of a smooth year. Hope you enjoy your learning choices as well!</span><br />
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<div class="fb-like" data-href="http://homeschoolbelle.blogspot.com" data-send="true" data-width="450" data-show-faces="true"></div></div>The Homeschool Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18238909575117289490noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308456158123255690.post-36979532180961752932014-03-12T11:02:00.001-07:002014-03-13T04:43:58.276-07:00Cure the Cabin-Fever Blues!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QQ9yyBaLGP4/UyClfE2WEpI/AAAAAAAADPo/oMUQnrw8w68/s1600/cabin+fever.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QQ9yyBaLGP4/UyClfE2WEpI/AAAAAAAADPo/oMUQnrw8w68/s1600/cabin+fever.jpg" /></a></div>
Yesterday I went for a lovely evening walk with my family as we
enjoyed the warmest day we've had in 2014. We broke the 50 degree mark
here in the Midwest, and after being pummeled with blizzard after
blizzard, it was a much-needed change!<br />
<br />
Now I sit
looking out my window at the newly fallen 8 (YES 8 MORE!) inches of snow
whipping across one neighbors yard to the other as the winds howl as if
to whine about it as much as I am!<br />
<br />
So what to do, but
check out some fun activities the kids and I can do to pass the time till
spring can finally wedge its way into our reality! I stumbled on a
website I just had to share, as I know many of your little
cabin-fever-infected munchkins are as desperate for new, interesting
activities as mine.<br />
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<a href="http://www.housingaforest.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="www.housingaforest.com/" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HuyjR4_D-ac/UyCX8Px-__I/AAAAAAAADO0/D3l9oShkI1E/s1600/HousingAForest.jpg" height="70" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Tammy
over at Housing A Forest has an unbelievable website that is so well
organized and chock full of amazing art projects and fun experiments for
kids, I just had to tell you about it! Ideas from<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Exploding Peep Geysers </div>
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<a href="http://www.housingaforest.com/exploding-peep-geysers/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.housingaforest.com/exploding-peep-geysers/" border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-l0JO9OAevOA/UyCX-NkPGQI/AAAAAAAADPQ/a52NKiUSdfw/s1600/hous3.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
to Elastic Band Launchers </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.housingaforest.com/elastic-band-launchers/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.housingaforest.com/elastic-band-launchers/" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-K8WjQxxSijE/UyCX8sD0KVI/AAAAAAAADPI/5fQTjt6A_ws/s1600/hous1.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
to Starburst Candy Sculptures</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.housingaforest.com/starburst-candy-sculptures/" target="_blank"><img alt="http://www.housingaforest.com/starburst-candy-sculptures/" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6Y4CsJWhXp8/UyCX8m0gKZI/AAAAAAAADPE/90-b7_Ev814/s1600/hous2.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Amazing,
right? I haven't even shown the kids yet, but I'm so excited about this
website that even I might forget what's going on outside my windows!<br />
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<div class="fb-like" data-href="http://homeschoolbelle.blogspot.com" data-send="true" data-width="450" data-show-faces="true"></div></div>The Homeschool Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18238909575117289490noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308456158123255690.post-87478665433410742692014-01-29T10:40:00.002-08:002014-01-29T10:49:22.111-08:00How-To Writing<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">I'm sure many of you have seen the "How to Blow a Bubble" pins on Pinterest. Well, I just had to do this with my little guy who is obsessed with gum!</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Procedural-How-To-Writing-Chart-and-Activities-419117"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L1nm2_o1mKE/UoA4Bpg3YqI/AAAAAAAADMk/GzwVdc2AQRg/s320/HowTo+Writing.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br />
We started our week by using this FREE How-To Writing kit from the <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/FREE-Procedural-How-To-Writing-Chart-and-Activities-419117">Down Under Teacher</a></div>
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<tr><td><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f9Oo5l6F0PM/UoAsGmUAGdI/AAAAAAAADKo/e6RmSDpXIz4/s1600/IMG_2696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f9Oo5l6F0PM/UoAsGmUAGdI/AAAAAAAADKo/e6RmSDpXIz4/s320/IMG_2696.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Our first practice story was about how to make a bowl of cereal.</td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0uZTQUX1cyk/UoAt2rZZPtI/AAAAAAAADLU/_oUv6o0nJeA/s1600/IMG_2736.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0uZTQUX1cyk/UoAt2rZZPtI/AAAAAAAADLU/_oUv6o0nJeA/s320/IMG_2736.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Then how to make a PB & J</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ENnvUZmJ56o/UoAtAZ1N8vI/AAAAAAAADK4/jJ5tHG3GguI/s1600/IMG_2721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ENnvUZmJ56o/UoAtAZ1N8vI/AAAAAAAADK4/jJ5tHG3GguI/s320/IMG_2721.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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Then came the fun... how to blow a bubble. Here we are in front of the mirror, trying to see exactly what our mouths were doing so we could put our process in to words.</div>
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<tr><td><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i0fm2hwvSy8/UoAtuZFM1fI/AAAAAAAADLM/610bqPHFJ8E/s1600/IMG_2732.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i0fm2hwvSy8/UoAtuZFM1fI/AAAAAAAADLM/610bqPHFJ8E/s320/IMG_2732.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Insert hysterically laughing mom here!</td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g6_IegFwZgw/UoAuACy8gRI/AAAAAAAADLc/aMfL3O9f3SI/s1600/IMG_2738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g6_IegFwZgw/UoAuACy8gRI/AAAAAAAADLc/aMfL3O9f3SI/s320/IMG_2738.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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...still trying...</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uXoFxDYxyJs/UuGHrPoSPHI/AAAAAAAADOk/poKvEHX95KU/s1600/IMG_2739.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uXoFxDYxyJs/UuGHrPoSPHI/AAAAAAAADOk/poKvEHX95KU/s1600/IMG_2739.JPG" height="320" width="213" /></a></div>
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Final result: no bubble, but a really cute paper and fun memory!</div>
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Are you like me and just can't keep yourself from changing, tweaking and adjusting the way you tackle your schooling? I'm convinced it must be some virus that is automatically transmitted when you open your first box of curriculum, because it seems to infect even the strongest of us!<br />
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We are working through the states for Geography this year and I am trying to do this as a group activity. You know, 3 kids at once... make it easier on mom.... right! My children range from a completely "Ooh! A squirrel!" type 2nd grade boy, to an over-achieving 5th grader who needs about 3 seconds to learn ANYTHING, to a "do-I-have-to-be-here-for-this?" 7th grade daughter. So, adjustments as we go have simply become a given.<br />
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As always, I started off the year with all these grandiose plans: field trips, food from each state, etc, etc... Then, as if it's still a startling phenomenon, life happens. Sickness or scheduling issues prevent a field trip. That great state recipe sounds yummy, but I forgot a major ingredient at the store! Why do I keep setting myself up for these inevitable failures?<br />
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Rather than bore you with the list of trial and error methods that failed us, I'll share what actually IS working for us now. First, I had to decide what exactly I wanted them to come away with. If you're the mom who dreams of your kids being able to name, locate and label every river, mountain and major city in the US, I tip my hat to you! With an upcoming move on the horizon, I however, dream of surviving this year - just being honest!<br />
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I wanted them to learn a little about each state's history and resources, it's capital, abbreviation, and major landmarks - to be able to hold an intelligent conversation with others about the country they call home. So, here's the routine we've settled into:<br />
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We cover 2 states per week.<br />
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<u>Monday</u><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DJVfsHryhY4/UuF_XXc20AI/AAAAAAAADN8/oawlHG-4oA4/s1600/the-states.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DJVfsHryhY4/UuF_XXc20AI/AAAAAAAADN8/oawlHG-4oA4/s1600/the-states.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<ol>
<li>We watch the current state's segment from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-States/dp/B001T8ATTE">The States</a> from The History Channel. This has worked out much better than reading the material. My kids tend to be very visual learners, so this has removed some of the <strike>bored out of their minds</strike> less than attentive attitudes.</li>
<li>Quickly practice the capital and abbreviation for the state.</li>
<li>Then:</li>
</ol>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bEuclWYS680/UoAouMROekI/AAAAAAAADJI/KX5m8XIXCgU/s1600/IMG_2576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bEuclWYS680/UoAouMROekI/AAAAAAAADJI/KX5m8XIXCgU/s1600/IMG_2576.JPG" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<li>My 2nd Grader uses uses <a href="http://www.amazon.com/United-States-America-State---State/dp/0439827655/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1390506338&sr=8-1&keywords=united+states+america+state+guide">The United States of America: A State by State Guide</a> and <a href="http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/u-s-geography">Road Trip USA</a>'s coloring pages. <i> Little disclaimer: I love the Road Trip USA curriculum, I just found it difficult to "amp up" for my older students.</i></li>
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<li>My older girls use <a href="http://www.home-school-curriculum.com/product/trail-guide-to-us-geography">Trail Guide to US Geography</a> to complete each state's mapping assignment. (We found that the questions in this book began jumping around and weren't about the state we were studying, so we omit that part. Maybe because we have an older version of the book?)</li>
</ul>
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<u>Tuesday</u><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ns4qHB7iIJA/UuF_2gyp6NI/AAAAAAAADOE/lmq4yCeFygE/s1600/mim_frontcover_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Ns4qHB7iIJA/UuF_2gyp6NI/AAAAAAAADOE/lmq4yCeFygE/s1600/mim_frontcover_lg.jpg" height="320" width="269" /></a></div>
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<li>My 2nd Grader and I go through a fabulous book called <a href="http://www.christianbook.com/little-with-clues-remember-all-states/e-martonyi/9780978510046/pd/510041">The Little Man in the Map</a><i>. </i>If you haven't seen this, you should definitely check it out. It uses a little "man in the map" called MIM for short, to help kids place the states. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEhpJuFdUdo">Here is a video</a> to show you a bit more about it. All my kids have loved this book and learned a tremendous amount from it!</li>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-59hcizX6n-4/UuGAjvw-qzI/AAAAAAAADOU/ztIOMtEnv6A/s1600/50+States.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-59hcizX6n-4/UuGAjvw-qzI/AAAAAAAADOU/ztIOMtEnv6A/s1600/50+States.jpg" height="320" width="246" /></a></div>
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<li>Using Scholastic's <a href="http://teacherexpress.scholastic.com/50-great-states-read-solve-crossword-puzzles">50 Great States Read & Solve Crossword Puzzles</a>, my girls read a summary of information about each state and then complete a crossword puzzle to really lock in those facts.<i> Right now, this is on sale as an eBook for $1 on the Scholastic site.</i></li>
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<u>Wednesday & Thursday</u>, we repeat this process for State 2.<br />
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<u>Friday</u><br />
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This is our review day. We review all the states covered so far in any fun way we'd like to. If it's been a crazy week, we may also use the <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/stack-the-states/id381342267?mt=8">Stack the States</a> app or <a href="http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/web_games.htm">Sheppard Software</a>'s game to review states & capitals.<br />
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There are always so many fabulous resources to choose from, I can make myself crazy trying to use them all! This schedule gets the information into their brains without stressing us all out! I'd call that a win!<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Scholastic's Teacher Express store is having their $1 e-book sale from now <span style="color: #741b47;">through November 8th</span>! </span></div>
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<a href="http://teacherexpress.scholastic.com/dollardeals?dir=asc&limit=64&order=position" target="_blank"><img alt="http://teacherexpress.scholastic.com/dollardeals?dir=asc&limit=64&order=position" border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9--58G5DAdE/Unj0C__7hoI/AAAAAAAADH8/XMYc6ZQFDgY/s1600/TchrExpress-banner.jpg" height="113" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">These are the same content as the paper copy books, but you can use them to print off multiple copies for all your students, or you can simply use some of the book's pages for specific studies, after all, they're only a dollar, right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">Next week, I will be posting some tips on what resources we have finally settled on for this year's state studies for multiple grades. <strike></strike> But since one is included in this sale: I'll give a little sneak peak on one of them. For my 5th and 7th grade girls, we added Scholastic's <a href="http://teacherexpress.scholastic.com/50-great-states-read-solve-crossword-puzzles" target="_blank"><u>50 Great States Read & Solve Crossword Puzzles</u></a>. Each state has a summary page that covers the highlights: capital, major cities, exports, famous people, etc. The girls read the summary and then answer questions on the following page to complete the crossword puzzle. It has really helped lock those facts in their memories. I don't know about you, but just reading the information TO them, results in <strike>glazed over looks on thier barely awake faces</strike> very little memory retention.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">I hope you snatch up some great finds on this sale! Just be careful! That "It's only more dollar!" voice can get you in some trouble, I speak from experience here! This will not be the last time they'll do this, I promise! It'll be okay to pace yourself! Shop on, my friends!</span></div>
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This weekend, we took a little trip to our friends' farm for a Fall Harvest Festival. It was such a beautiful day and everyone had such a great time. They had a bounce house, face-painting, pumpkin-painting, sack races, yummy food, a pumpkin slingshot, tractor rides and my absolute favorite - tricolor Rice Krispie treats made to look like candy corn. What can I say, I love Rice Krispie treats! Hats off to my dear friend who <u>always</u> throws a great party! </div>
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Monday was my sweet hubby's birthday so the kids and I made this little message out of their bodies! The best part of this gift was how hysterically we laughed while trying to pose them. All the "Her bottom's in my face" and "Hurry, I'm falling over!" had me in stitches. We had to redo a couple of shots because I was giggling so hard, I shook the camera. Dad LOVED his surprise so it was definitely a winner!</div>
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As for our schooling, we learned about cold-blooded animals and camouflage in our Magic School Bus science. We made some invisible ink out of equal parts of water and baking soda. I was a little skeptical that this simple solution would do the trick, but it totally worked! I have a feeling there will soon be lots of little secret messages around our house.</div>
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For his writing assignment, he wrote about what he would do if he were <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B55IWvdj9T9fUzc2dTJPWVpxcE0/edit?pli=1" target="_blank">invisible for a day</a>. Get it, camouflage and being invisible??? Here's what he wrote:</div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">In art, the kids made a color wheel and then practiced designing circles using primary, secondary, warm and cool colors. Miss 7th grade loves art, but I think she enjoyed the company more!</span></div>
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Well, that's it for us on a pretty slow week! I hope you had a great one!<br />
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<div class="fb-like" data-href="http://homeschoolbelle.blogspot.com" data-send="true" data-width="450" data-show-faces="true"></div></div>The Homeschool Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18238909575117289490noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308456158123255690.post-76910893668307003592013-10-12T13:31:00.000-07:002013-10-12T13:51:50.925-07:00Weekly Wrap-Up (4 States, the Ocean, the Desert and Grandparents' house!)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/weekly-wrap-up-the-one-where-i-got-away/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-upyiFDxG24U/Uhef8MYgsbI/AAAAAAAAC4w/90qU8cDFhII/s1600/weeklywrapup300.png" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/weekly-wrap-up-the-one-where-i-got-away/" target="_blank">Weekly Link-Up. Click above to visit other bloggers.</a></td></tr>
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Last weekend, I had the amazing opportunity to go on a women's retreat with my church. Unfortunately that means another double-wrap-up week this week, but it was completely worth it! On top of an outstanding spiritual experience and bonding with so many wonderful women I now call my friends, I also got to try my hand at rifle shooting, archery and horseback riding. This, my friends, is how girls should get away!<br />
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As for our homeschool weeks: </div>
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<u>Week one (Sep 30-Oct 4</u>) consisted of our US Geography studies of New York and New Jersey and our <a href="http://homeschoolbelle.blogspot.com/p/msb-science.html" target="_blank">Magic School Bus lesson</a> on coral reefs. Now, just to clarify, we covered much more than that, but I didn't think ya'll would be too excited to see photos of my kiddos filling out their math textbooks or writing a paper. So, here are the highlights. For our State Food/Movie night, we ate Subway subs in honor of New York and Cranberry Oatmeal Cookies in honor of New Jersey.</div>
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For science, we got to make a wave in a bottle out of three simple ingredients: water, oil and food coloring. It's so simple! Just pour oil (We just used Canola oil) into a clear container and fill about 1/2 full. Mix the blue food coloring into the water and then fill the container with the water. Then the oh-so-important final step: screw the lid on - VERY tightly! When you slosh it back and forth, it almost looks like slow motion giving that calm effect of rocking waves. My little guy is keeping it in his room, and so far, there's no 'ocean' in my carpet. I'm thinking I may need to sneak that little number out of there before we have a crisis, though. LOL!</div>
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<u>Week 2, Oct.7-11</u>, took us to the great states of Pennsylvania and Delaware. Now we couldn't sample goodies from Pennsylvania without chowing down on some yummy Hershey chocolate and a delectable Philly Steak and Cheese sandwich. </div>
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Since Delaware hosts an annual Pumpkin Festival, we ate pumpkin cupcakes from that <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/pin/52846995600937745/" target="_blank">Pinterest recipe</a> using only 2 ingredients. Ok, sorry to burst the bubble, but I thought they came out really thick. I would have to add an egg or two to make it fluffier. Just my opinion! My sweets-deprived kids however, devour anything that sounds like it has sugar! So we slathered on some cream cheese frosting and they gobbled those babies right up!</div>
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Our <a href="http://homeschoolbelle.blogspot.com/p/msb-science.html" target="_blank">Magic School Bus study</a> of the desert included a fun activity making sand dunes. We poured a bag of sand (a souvenir from our <a href="http://homeschoolbelle.blogspot.com/2013/09/weekly-wrap-up-913-vacation.html" target="_blank">recent vacation</a>) into a shallow container and used a 'bendy' straw to blow the sand into heaps. Voila! Sand dune! If you try this, you may want a slightly deeper container. When I tested it, no issues. In the hands of a 7-yr-old boy, however. Let's just say there was a lot of clean up on aisle one!</div>
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Our weather has been so beautiful, we decided to do our reading outside. We put the picnic blanket under a shade tree and snuggled in with our books only to find ourselves, moments later, swarmed with gnats! They were crawling on our books, our clothes, and I don't even want to think about how many were hosting a party in my hair! Yuck! My girls lasted about three minutes and went back inside. My son gave me those puppy eyes and really wanted to stay so I <strike>begrudgingly stayed out of guilt</strike> hung out there with him for as long as I could stand it (maybe 5 more minutes) Oh well, we tried!<br />
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October means 'school photos' around here so while the kids were playing outside, I snapped some practice shots. Not sure we're ready for the real thing, but we had fun anyway!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hammin' it up!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At that age where she hates her picture taken, but she was being such a good sport!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr. Man feeling crafty on Wed night. He made his own robot buddy! We just had to put this pic in!</td></tr>
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Friday, we packed our remaining schoolwork and headed to Grandma and Grandpa's cabin on the lake for a short visit. The kids got to go for a paddle boat ride, go fishing, lay in the hammock and just relax for an afternoon. That is until they got back to the car and their mean-ole-teacher made them get some more work done. Ah, the hardships of traveling with your teacher!<br />
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So how is your year going so far? What fun things have you experienced together? Leave me a comment below and share!</div>
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<div class="fb-like" data-href="http://homeschoolbelle.blogspot.com" data-send="true" data-width="450" data-show-faces="true"></div></div>The Homeschool Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18238909575117289490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308456158123255690.post-48561308727604004082013-10-08T17:37:00.000-07:002013-10-08T17:57:09.587-07:00Homeschool Tips & Tricks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am so blessed to be part of a mom's group that is wonderfully supportive and encouraging. Each month, we have a Mom's Night where we share what we have learned on this homeschooling journey. Well, last night's theme was Tips and Tools for Homeschooling so it just wouldn't be right if I didn't share them here with all my readers for my Tuesday Tipster post, right?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Girls, there were so many ideas flying around that I could barely squeeze them in on my whiteboard! So go grab a cup of coffee or leave this page up and come back when you have some time to yourself cause you're going to have a blister on your clicking finger before you get through them all! So exciting! Are you ready?</span><br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U3Gr51iF_ro/UlSpKq_VSWI/AAAAAAAADCU/kqdTIoY-pvo/s1600/HStools_tips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U3Gr51iF_ro/UlSpKq_VSWI/AAAAAAAADCU/kqdTIoY-pvo/s320/HStools_tips.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">First we'll start with our favorite <u>homeschool tools</u>:</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A Laminator I have the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Purple-Cows-Laminator-Includes-3016c/dp/B005FVNH68/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381245270&sr=8-1&keywords=purple+cow+laminator" target="_blank">Purple Cows Laminator</a> and it works great for me! Another popular model is the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0010JEJPC?ie=UTF8&tag=confofahome-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0010JEJPC" target="_blank">Scotch Laminator</a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/GBC-ProClick-Desktop-Binding-Machine/dp/B00006IAS3/ref=sr_1_1?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1381245466&sr=1-1&keywords=proclick" target="_blank">Proclick Binding System</a> I got mine 1/2 off on eBay, so shop around! This thing is amazing! It's a "spiral" type binding that can be opened and closed. WHAT????</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/CARL-Professional-Rotary-Paper-Trimmer/dp/B0006HV9N4/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1381245783&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=paper+rotarty" target="_blank">Paper Cutter</a> I highly recommend the rotary style cutter vs. the little blades. You can get these at Michaels or JoAnn's with your 40% off coupon.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Paper-Mate-Retractable-Ballpoint-1781564/dp/B004U9TEEA/ref=sr_1_1?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1381246030&sr=1-1&keywords=colored+pens" target="_blank">Colored Pens</a> My kids came from the classroom environment and in that short time, developed the red-pen-aversion! So I got colored pens and grade their papers in their favorite color - crazy that this little psychology somehow eases the pressure of mistakes :)</span></li>
</ol>
<u><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Apps</span></u><br />
<ol>
<li><a href="http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/content/iew-writing-tools-app-iphones-and-androids" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">IEW</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.spellingcity.com/vocabularyspellingcity-app.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Spelling City</span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/the-spelling-bee/id625029839?mt=8" target="_blank">Spelling Bee</a> I use this with my son to practice his All About Spelling words.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/spellosaur/id461007342?mt=8" target="_blank">Spellosaur</a> I have used this in the past and love it. We only switched to keep things fresh. We will use this again though.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/playful-minds-math-5-8-years/id449569846?mt=8" target="_blank">Playful Minds Math</a> My 2nd grade son absolutely loves this one.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/playful-minds-math-5-8-years/id449569846?mt=8" target="_blank">TeachMe </a> Individual apps from Toddler to 3rd Grade </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bible-memory-for-kids/id427628638?mt=8" target="_blank">Bible Memory Verses</a> NIV</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/toontastic-free/id404693282?mt=8" target="_blank">ToonTastic</a> This is an unbelievably great FREE app for reluctant writers to create picture stories along the story arc in an unusual way and record them instead of handwriting. They can even add mood music and upload them to share. This is a must see!</span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><u>Homeschool Shopping & Resources</u></span><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/" target="_blank">Rainbow Resource</a> <i>Request their catalog. It's like 4" thick and free!</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/" target="_blank">Christian Book </a> Prices are often lower than the publishers.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/" target="_blank">Teachers Pay Teachers </a> <i>check out your curriculum's table of contents to search for products (many, many for free) to boost your learning.</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.teachersnotebook.com/" target="_blank">Teachers Notebook</a> <i>Very similar to TPT above.</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.currclick.com/" target="_blank">Currclick</a> </span><i><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="st">Your one-stop shop for homeschool downloads, ebooks,
lapbooks, live online classes for homeschoolers, unit studies,
affordable curriculum, novel studies.</span></span></i></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/" target="_blank">Pinterest </a> If you haven't found pinterest yet, be prepared to lose yourself in idea overload! This is the best thing ever! </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.dealoz.com/" target="_blank">DealOz </a> Book finder that lists multiple sellers.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.booksalefinder.com/" target="_blank">Book Sale Finder</a> Includes library book sales</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://educents.com/">Educents.com</a> A flash sale website for great teaching and homeschooling materials.</span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.freehomeschooldeals.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Free Homeschool Deals</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://homeschoolclassifieds.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Homeschool Classifieds</span></a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.homesciencetools.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Home Science Tools</span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.homeschoolbuyersco-op.org/" target="_blank">Homeschool Buyers Co-Op </a></span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Lakeshore Learning</span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://2ndandcharles.com/" target="_blank">2nd & Charles</a> We just got one of these stores in our area!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://teacherexpress.scholastic.com/" target="_blank">Scholastic's Teacher Express</a> Throughout the year, they have $1 sales where you can buy many of their 100's of e-books for only one dollar. Be sure to sign up with them! </span></li>
</ol>
<u><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Learning Websites</span></u><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.clicknkids.com/" target="_blank">Click-N-Read & Click-N-Spell</a> Award-Winning Phonics and Spelling program</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.brainpopjr.com/" target="_blank">BrainPop Jr </a></span><br /><span class="st"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Animated Science, Health, Technology, Math, Social
Studies, Arts & Music and English movies, quizzes, activity pages
and school homework help Grades K-4</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.brainpop.com/" target="_blank">BrainPop</a> </span><span class="st"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Animated Science, Health, Technology, Math, Social
Studies, Arts & Music and English movies, quizzes, activity pages
and school homework help Grades 5+</span></span></li>
<li><a href="http://www.khanacademy.org/%E2%80%8E" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Khan Academy </span></a><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="st">Learn for free about math, art, computer programming,
economics, physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, finance, history, and
more.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.sheppardsoftware.com/%E2%80%8E" target="_blank">Shepperd Software </a><br /><span class="st">Hundreds of fun educational games and activities for kids to play online. Topics include math, geography, animals, and more.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://resources.oswego.org/games/mathmagician/cathymath.html" target="_blank">Math Magician Games</a><span class="st"><a href="http://resources.oswego.org/games/mathmagician/cathymath.html" target="_blank"> </a> Practice math facts online </span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://quizlet.com/" target="_blank">Quizlet </a><span class="st">Vocabulary lists, science terms, history dates, etc. created by people like you. It also has games and activities to practice those terms. You can also print tests! Search for the book you're using (like Apologia Biology, Module 1) and get started right away!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><a href="http://stosselintheclassroom.org/" target="_blank">Stossel in the Classroom</a> <span class="st"> offers a new, free DVD per school year for educators to use in their classroom. Great for critical thinking!</span></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span class="st">Make your own handwriting sheets from <a href="http://www.zaner-bloser.com/media/zb/zaner-bloser/FontsOnline_Sampler/FontsOnline_Sampler/index.html" target="_blank">Zaner-Bloser</a> or <a href="http://www.hwtears.com/hwt/online-tools/APLUS" target="_blank">Handwriting Without Tears</a> or the <a href="http://www.writingwizard.longcountdown.com/handwriting_practice_worksheet_maker.html" target="_blank">ESL Writing Wizard</a>. This is a great way to practice handwriting and spelling words at the same time.</span></span></li>
</ol>
<u><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Helpful Tips</span></u><br />
<ol>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Make daily lists or checklists so the kids know exactly what is expected of them. Here is one <a href="http://blog.aussiepumpkinpatch.com/2011/08/homeschool-checklists-for-kids.html" target="_blank">example</a>.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Workboxes are a great way to keep kids moving along. Find out more about <a href="http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/2013/01/workbox-system-video-tutorial.html" target="_blank">Workboxes HERE</a>. There are many variations on this so dig around and find one that fits your family.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Develop a reward system! One brilliant mom listed the behaviors she expected of her children and uses <a href="http://www.orientaltrading.com/bible-verse-goldtone-coins-a2-39_1100-12-1.fltr?Ntt=coins" target="_blank">these scripture coins</a> and another uses "<a href="http://www.dollartree.com/office-school/learning-educational/puzzles-games/Oversized-Funny-Money-50-ct-Packs/610c616c623p323560/index.pro?method=search" target="_blank">Big Bucks</a>" from the dollar store to reward their children's good behaviors. Then your children can purchase treats, later bed times, screen time, etc. by cashing in their coins or bills! I'm so doing this!!! Get the <a href="https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B55IWvdj9T9fTU1vNVdaTFNjN2s/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">Attitude Checklist</a> free from my friend, Dee!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Check out <a href="http://www.landryacademy.com/" target="_blank">Landry Academy</a>. On of our moms went to their Mom's Retreat and was absolutely raving about it!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Our resident expert who has homeschooled from kindergarten and her oldest is now in 9th grade uses <a href="http://www.homeschoolskedtrack.com/HomeSchool/displayLogin.do" target="_blank">Homeschool Skedtrack</a> for planning and record keeping. It even makes report cards and transcripts; and best of all, it's FREE!</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Check out <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/" target="_blank">yahoo groups</a> for your favorite curricula and you're local area homeschoolers. Here is an <a href="http://groups.yahoo.com/search?query=apologia&submit=Search" target="_blank">example</a> of a search for apologia. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One mom works a little over the weekend and has dad help out with his favorite subject. It becomes a special family time and helps dad relate to mom's homeschool experiences.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">One mom recommended these <a href="http://www.life-leadership-home.com/Shopping/tabid/63/CatID/239/language/en-US/Default.aspx" target="_blank">Edge CD's</a> that focus on leadership.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Be sure to check out <a href="http://bookitprogram.com/enrollment/homeschool.asp" target="_blank">Book It </a><a href="http://bookitprogram.com/enrollment/homeschool.asp" target="_blank">Program</a> from Pizza Hut. </span></li>
</ol>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Thanks to all my gals for their great ideas! I hope you found some great tips here and if you have one you'd like to share, please leave me a comment below!</span><br />
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<div class="fb-like" data-href="http://homeschoolbelle.blogspot.com" data-send="true" data-width="450" data-show-faces="true"></div></div>The Homeschool Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18238909575117289490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308456158123255690.post-36171297201824739822013-09-29T16:43:00.003-07:002013-09-29T16:47:54.003-07:00Weekly Wrap Ups 9/20/13 and 9/27/13<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://www.weirdunsocializedhomeschoolers.com/weekly-wrap-up-the-one-with-a-little-encouragement/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-upyiFDxG24U/Uhef8MYgsbI/AAAAAAAAC4w/90qU8cDFhII/s1600/weeklywrapup300.png" /></a></div>
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Well, this is a two-week wrap up. I caught a nasty cold last weekend and spent most of my time in bed so blogging just had to wait. So here's a recap of our last two weeks.<script src="http://assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script><br />
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For art this year, we are using See The Light Art Class DVDs. While my second grader isn't quite at this level, he usually participates as best he can. This week, there was a bonus lesson using chalk pastels. Here are my 5th and 7th graders' masterpieces. Beautiful!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7V57-q_aZKw/Uki2zIwVDoI/AAAAAAAADBo/DRHYRec-UkE/s1600/Chalk+Art2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7V57-q_aZKw/Uki2zIwVDoI/AAAAAAAADBo/DRHYRec-UkE/s320/Chalk+Art2.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rjuWXaxPTyg/Uki2zYaC61I/AAAAAAAADBs/LLmFdWrO6wM/s1600/Chalk+Art1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rjuWXaxPTyg/Uki2zYaC61I/AAAAAAAADBs/LLmFdWrO6wM/s320/Chalk+Art1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Miss 5th Grade is doing Apologia's Human Anatomy course this year and we had an experiment relating to Ancient Egypt to compare an apple that was left out for a week untouched and one covered in baking soda and salt.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qgzxHxlBCn4/UkigVxpGHfI/AAAAAAAAC-k/4yebyaPkuYE/s1600/IMG_2351.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qgzxHxlBCn4/UkigVxpGHfI/AAAAAAAAC-k/4yebyaPkuYE/s200/IMG_2351.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MRkbEXICz0k/UkigCG3v94I/AAAAAAAAC-c/b3tLkrPTOwM/s1600/IMG_2352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MRkbEXICz0k/UkigCG3v94I/AAAAAAAAC-c/b3tLkrPTOwM/s200/IMG_2352.JPG" width="200" /> </a></div>
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Her hypothesis was that the apple in the soda and salt would be
preserved and the other would rot. However at the end of the week,
here's what they looked like! The 'preserved' apple actually shrank to
about half its original size!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nY4ugX6aQdE/UkimFFiz2OI/AAAAAAAADAA/5caSP3HdPV0/s1600/IMG_2370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nY4ugX6aQdE/UkimFFiz2OI/AAAAAAAADAA/5caSP3HdPV0/s200/IMG_2370.JPG" width="200" /></a><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VStcogkr2vg/UkilEbIOcMI/AAAAAAAAC_k/dlJBdHoplMo/s1600/IMG_2369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VStcogkr2vg/UkilEbIOcMI/AAAAAAAAC_k/dlJBdHoplMo/s200/IMG_2369.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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This week, we made an edible cell out of Jello and Candy! Our most delicious science experiment yet!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Completely unrelated, but had to put in this Lil' Bitty Snake we found on our back patio :) My little vet-to-be was cooing like it was a newborn baby! Mom, however, drew the line on bringing this little 'sweetheart' into the house!!!</td></tr>
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For our state studies, we covered Vermont and New Hampshire and on our <strike>pizza</strike> state food/movie Friday night we dined on pancakes with real maple syrup and splurged on delicious Ben & Jerry's ice cream. So yummy. <br />
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Week two included Connecticut and Rhode Island. After our books and
notebooking pages, we took a video tour of the Newport Mansions and all
the "Whoa!" and "Oh yeah! I want to live there!" from my kids was
hilarious. Since Connecticut is the home of the first hamburger, we had a
yummy meal of hamburgers and Coffee Milkshakes in honor of Rhode
Island. Then we had to wind down some very hyper children!<br />
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Last week's Magic School Bus science topic was backyard habitats and we got to make this <a href="http://www.sugarandgrace.com/2012/11/05/diy-birdfeeders-kids-craft/" target="_blank">cool bird feeder</a> that we hung from our porch. Little man was excited to see birds swooping down to our porch to check it out!<br />
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This week's science topic was the Rainforest. We read <u><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Rainforest-Habitat-Paperback-Introducing-Habitats/dp/0778729869" target="_blank">A Rainforest Habitat</a></u>, watched the <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4DhHz3CadJg" target="_blank">Travel With Kids</a> episode on Costa Rica (If you are studying Geography with younger children, you HAVE to check out this series!), saw the video and did the quiz on <a href="http://www.brainpopjr.com/science/habitats/rainforests/grownups.weml" target="_blank">BrainPop Jr</a>, and made a <a href="http://hikebloglove.com/2012/05/09/science-and-nature-for-kids-make-a-rainforest-in-a-jar/" target="_blank">Rainforest in a Bow</a>l to see the water cycle in action! Unfortunately my "all-boy" 7-yr-old wiped out on his bike and slid across our gravel drive in between building it and getting to see the water droplets so it was a little less awe-inspiring than I'd hoped.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adding some rainforest animals</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Best buddies that make it all better. Teddy and our newest family member: Bamboo the panda</td></tr>
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Well, I hope you all had a safe and healthy couple of weeks!<br />
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<div class="fb-like" data-href="http://homeschoolbelle.blogspot.com" data-send="true" data-width="450" data-show-faces="true"></div></div>The Homeschool Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18238909575117289490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308456158123255690.post-31589649055570945062013-09-17T06:50:00.000-07:002013-09-17T19:04:45.204-07:00How to Never Fall Behind in your Homeschool Schedule!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As we dive into a new school year, it doesn't take long before our perfect plans begin to get a little muddled and messed up. I've heard mom after mom stress about 'staying on schedule' and how 'behind' they get throughout the year. I can be <strike>crazy type A</strike> one who needs organization and structure so I have to admit, I am sometimes one of those moms! So what's the solution? How do we make everything run like a well-oiled machine so we can keep on schedule? Well... we don't! And here's why:<br />
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Whether you have ever had your children in a classroom or you've homeschooled from the beginning, I invite you to revisit why you chose to homeschool. I'd like be clear that I believe clasroom teachers have both a daunting task and my utmost respect. That being said, the fact remains that 25 students cannot be held up for the one student who is struggling to understand; teachers are not permitted to just toss a week's lesson plans to dive into a topic that a student is fascinated by; and that last day of school can't just wiggle down the calendar! But great news, fellow homeschoolers - we can!<br />
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Schedules are great, but they HAVE to be flexible or we risk sacrificing those amazing opportunities to build our children's confidence by giving them time to really master their academics or to draw our children into the enchantment of exploring their unknown world. <br />
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In our first year of homeschooling, my second grade daughter became completely enamored by bats! So, we put our studies on hold and jumped in with both feet. We watched bat videos, read bat books, made bat crafts, and watched bats in our backyard at night! My daughter will never forget that study because she loved the subject matter! <br />
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I encourage you to keep making those great plans (I know I couldn't stop if I tried, ha!) but when your child needs an extra week to really understand that math chapter or you're presented with that rare occurrance where your child actually asks to learn more about something they love, I encourage you to embrace the delays and bump those lessons a little down the planbook knowing that your 'schedule' is right where it should be - right where your child is! After all, isn't that why we make the sacrifices that we do in order to homeschool our precious kids?<br />
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<div class="fb-like" data-href="http://homeschoolbelle.blogspot.com" data-send="true" data-width="450" data-show-faces="true"></div></div>The Homeschool Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18238909575117289490noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308456158123255690.post-52464782043772555822013-09-14T19:33:00.001-07:002013-09-14T19:48:15.583-07:00Weekly Wrap-Up 9/13 (Vacation)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Crazy title? What, vacation already??? Yes! Since we started homeschooling, our tradition has been to sneak away early every September for a little family vacation once the kids are all back in school and the 'tourist' places are all deserted. It's one of our favorite perks of homeschooling! Just before we left, we saw this little leaf-bug. Crazy how much it looks like a real leaf, right! I just had to include this little guy in this week's post. He even flies! Those little 'leaves' are actually two sets of wings. My kiddos were totally enamored with this awesome dude!</div>
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We headed off to a little cottage on the beach where we had the whole lake to ourselves. We had 5 kayaks which we used until we blistered our hands - so much fun! This beach-side firepit is where we roasted marshmallows and hot dogs and we had such a great time getting away from it all that I totally zonked out at 7:30 the first night, in my clothes and all! Aaah, the sea air!</div>
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My little man came up with sand tic-tac-toe. How fun is that?</div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">And oh so timely as we are studying the New England States - We climbed the 82 stairs to the top of this lighthouse. I also had to carry my little guy the whole way up these 125 year-old, open metal circular stairs because he is afraid of heights. Well, this lady isn't too fond of them either, but what's a mama to do? Dad, however, carried him down those 82 stairs. I confess, my thighs were sore for two days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: small;">So how did you spend your week? I hope everyone is settling into their groove and things are working well!</span></div>
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<br />
Well, this was more or less a week off for us. We did complete our Math chapters, but otherwise, it was just a crazy week of busyness.<br />
<br />
Our Tuesday consisted of a "Not-Back-To-School" Picnic at the park with a whole bunch of our homeschool friends. Those poor other parents, with their school-aged children off for their first day, brought their toddlers, finally thinking they had the place to themselves! Well, not so much. All our kids did so great and worked hard to make sure everyone was included in playtime!<br />
<br />
Wednesday was a fun curriculum sale and Middle-Schoolers meet up. Thursday was an emergency dentist appointment for Miss 5th Grade to repair a filling. Friday was recovery day ;)<br />
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So since I don't have much to contribute this week, I thought I'd share a cute something from Natalie Criss that we can all relate to!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="240" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rIOogqa-5GA?feature=player_embedded" width="426"></iframe>
We've complete 4 weeks now, so it was really nice to blow off a little steam. I hope everyone had a fantastic week!<br />
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Tonka finished his 5th Explode the Code book this week! YEAH! On to book 6 and we plan to finish through book 8 by the end of the year.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C_joj7WmHbk/UiIkW53XXyI/AAAAAAAAC5k/0Fp4Sm5yfcM/s1600/ETC+Book+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C_joj7WmHbk/UiIkW53XXyI/AAAAAAAAC5k/0Fp4Sm5yfcM/s320/ETC+Book+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I had to make a run across town this week and got a chance to get my laminating done. Only 13' this time :) (I have kind of a thing for laminating my stuff) Then, as we all know, you have to come home and cut out all those cute little goodies. Well, my Tonka discovered how scissors can just glide through the plastic and he was hooked. He cut out EVERY last page while I then cut out the individual pieces. What a humongous help! I'm betting I just made a ton of teachers totally jealous to have so much assistance with such a big job!<br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/States-and-Capitals-719490" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3ui6mYXXwkA/UiIqdBvk8BI/AAAAAAAAC64/X8SH1LgaEmE/s320/laminate1.jpg" width="213" /></a> <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/States-and-Capitals-719490" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-37S1ZposaWs/UiIqdV8yHZI/AAAAAAAAC68/3H5NZY9yS5M/s320/laminate2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><i>Like these States and Capitals Cards? Get your own free ones <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/States-and-Capitals-719490" target="_blank">HERE</a></i></span></div>
<br />
Last year, we had such a jam-packed schedule that I felt like those really memorable homeschooling moments got swept out of the way in order to meet our commitments. I am working really hard this year to use that oh-so-forgotten word, NO. There are so many good sports, ministries, volunteering opportunities and such, but our moments of peaceful hearts and the joy of learning have been moved to the forefront this year and I'm making every effort to keep it that way. We're not cutting everything out, but really evaluating what our priorities are before deciding to commit to things.<br />
<br />
So that being said, one of our huge highlights: our wetlands study. We are so blessed to live right across the street from a Nature Center, so I rounded up the kids, packed our art supplies, clipboards and a bag for collecting and headed down the street. We investigated all the different plants that surrounded the pond, collected a few and then sat down to draw our favorites.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5581uNinAvc/UiIlTfyspHI/AAAAAAAAC5w/LEnvQJX7rpE/s1600/wetlands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5581uNinAvc/UiIlTfyspHI/AAAAAAAAC5w/LEnvQJX7rpE/s320/wetlands.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I got some great shots (in between swatting bugs and pulling out the one that flew down my shirt...aaah nature!) and the kids had a great time! I even got this awesome shot of a dragonfly! So cool, right?<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kpzwAg1rTXo/UiIoDiV7VnI/AAAAAAAAC58/dJWfHYyT8vE/s1600/dragonfly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kpzwAg1rTXo/UiIoDiV7VnI/AAAAAAAAC58/dJWfHYyT8vE/s320/dragonfly.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />
Then as my daughter pinned her branch of flowers between her feet so she could sketch them, a big 'ole bumblebee just buzzed on over and landed right on one of the flowers. She was a little hesitant at first, but then she was so mesmerized, she sat there for a solid 5 minutes before she could draw a thing! I just sat there thinking how blessed I am to have this time with my kids!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tb4Suk0LFQs/UiIojjh8E9I/AAAAAAAAC6k/criBnF4GhBs/s1600/flower+drawing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tb4Suk0LFQs/UiIojjh8E9I/AAAAAAAAC6k/criBnF4GhBs/s320/flower+drawing.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
When we got home, we used some of the items we collected to make a wetlands diorama. I also used a Google image for the background (there are tons if you just google <i>wetlands printable</i>) and printed <a href="http://www.exploringnature.org/db/detail.php?dbID=45&detID=708" target="_blank">these wetland animals</a> to add. I <strike>made myself get over my OCD compulsions</strike> didn't worry about it being perfect and had my son decide where to put everything. I think it came out really cute. More importantly, we had a ball doing this together!<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1jiZTir5lSA/UiIojQ8SIxI/AAAAAAAAC6o/4wKb4dULZPY/s1600/wetlands+diorama.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1jiZTir5lSA/UiIojQ8SIxI/AAAAAAAAC6o/4wKb4dULZPY/s320/wetlands+diorama.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Tonka also lost tooth #4 this week and even found a creative way to take a spelling test. That boy!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7oze69va35M/UiIu8qWLm3I/AAAAAAAAC7M/VwxSjFAfRZs/s1600/lost+tooth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7oze69va35M/UiIu8qWLm3I/AAAAAAAAC7M/VwxSjFAfRZs/s320/lost+tooth.jpg" width="213" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7VR3c2emwoI/UiIohuhMa2I/AAAAAAAAC6g/5xJhAjDrUTY/s1600/Drew+silly+at+desk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7VR3c2emwoI/UiIohuhMa2I/AAAAAAAAC6g/5xJhAjDrUTY/s320/Drew+silly+at+desk.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Miss 5th Grade is a riot. She is what we call "Camo and a Tutu" She likes video games, fishing, hunting, biology, dirt, anything gross, American Girl, Barbies and a little bit of anything that sparkles! Well, her latest invention: Mudmen! Like snowmen, just made of mud. "Invention" a little overstated? I don't know - this is a serious process. She fills a bucket with water, collects the dirt, dunks it, mixes, begins to mold it, dunks again, adds more dirt, mixes, dunks again.... I'ts quite a process and she has determined this to be the way to create the 'perfect mudball'. Yep ya'll, she's a 10-year-old girl. Ha! She had to work with some creativity and precision to get these mudballs to actually stack into a mudman. I watched her work and had so much fun seeing her build her creation and just have fun being a kid!<br />
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<br />
We also started our US Geography studies this week and began with Maine & Massachusetts. I chose Robert McCloskey for our author study this month, because his books fit perfectly with our state studies.<br />
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We learned about lighthouses, clams, capes, hills, Ben Franklin, cranberry bogs, Boston and more! Now, for the past few years we have had pizza-movie-night on Friday. I'm tellin' ya, I think I have had every variety of pizza you can think of to keep that from getting tiresome, but I'm just soooo done with pizza. So new idea: State foods-movie-night! So, to culminate our week in this New England region, we tried lobster bisque, blueberry buckle and Boston Creme doughnuts.<br />
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Next week is New Hampshire and Vermont. Can't wait to fill you in our fun!<br />
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<div class="fb-like" data-href="http://homeschoolbelle.blogspot.com" data-send="true" data-width="450" data-show-faces="true"></div></div>The Homeschool Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18238909575117289490noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308456158123255690.post-21834309433570970232013-08-26T18:56:00.002-07:002013-08-26T19:05:57.677-07:00A Day In The Life<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Hahaha! Doesn't that title make every homeschooler laugh! It really
seems that there is no such thing, doesn't it? A 'typical' day of learning just doesn't seem to
fit our household. We have outside classes, sports, church groups, etc.
Not to mention appointments, field trips, play dates, and other surprise interruptions. Sometimes we just need more "home" in our homeschool! Well, here is a general plan for how we run our day.<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
My
daughters have reached that "tween" age where they have become nocturnal
creatures and simply cannot fathom rousing before 9:30 or 10:00 am. I'm
told this gets worse :-{ However, my Energizer Bunny of a 7-year-old
boy is up before the crack of dawn. Since he is a little bundle of
constant movement and noise, I get rolling with his day around 8:00 so
that we can get through a number of subjects before those <strike>zombies</strike>
less-than-morning-people even fumble into the the land of the living
for breakfast. This has been so key to our success so far this year. I
can plan some one-on-one time with my little guy before the chorus of
"Mom? I need help!" begins. And my girls can catch up on their Z's so
that they can start their day more focused and alert. The girls (5th and 7th grades) are fairly independent this year - YEAH! - so that helps things run more smoothly as well!<br />
<br />
So
how do we "do" our day? We keep a weekly schedule in front of each
child so they can run down their list of what's expected each day. Here
is an example of my son's 2nd grade weekly schedule.<br />
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<a 1="" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Aqj4y3HNik/Uhv4fEfBxAI/AAAAAAAAC5A/G1NZGIWZH2M/s1600/WeeklyPlanner.png%20imageanchor=" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="281" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1Aqj4y3HNik/Uhv4fEfBxAI/AAAAAAAAC5A/G1NZGIWZH2M/s400/WeeklyPlanner.png" target="_blank" width="400" /></a></div>
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Ok, so the spacing got a little skewed, but it gives you the idea. I keep this schedule is in a picture frame next to where we work so I can always see what comes next. For my VERY checklist-loving son, I use the schedule cards from Cara Carroll over at <a href="http://thefirstgradeparade.blogspot.com/2012/08/schedule-cards-are-here.html" target="_blank">The First Grade Parade</a>. Hop on over to her blog to get them for yourself, FREE! How amazingly generous of her!</div>
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Now a little homeschooling tip here, all those great classroom decor items and posters are fabulous, but we rarely have the wall space for all of them and let's face it, we don't exactly need them to be viewable from the back row by 30 kids, right? So here's what I do --> shrink 'em! I printed these adorable schedule cards by printing 4 pages on 1 piece of card stock. Then, I laminated them and stuck a strip magnet on the back. Now my son can easily see how his day will flow and gleefully put little check marks next to each thing accomplished! </div>
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<span id="goog_1890953129"></span><span id="goog_1890953130"></span><br /></div>
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Leave me a comment below and let me know what tips you've learned to help your day flow more smoothly!</div>
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I love having this blog to use as a type of journal of our experiences together. It's so fun to browse back through posts and photos with my kids and relive all of the fun things we've done. It also works out great to highlight only those shining moments so my children are all "Awww! I remember that, that was so fun" and are left with those warm, fuzzy feelings of schooling together. It's my secret ploy to make them forget all the "grrrrrrr" moments we may have had as well!<br />
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Here are our highlights this week:<br />
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For me, a <u>major</u> highlight this week was having my <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Primary-Science-Lesson-Plans-for-Magic-School-Bus-DVDs-829290" target="_blank">science lesson plans</a> featured on <a href="http://www.freehomeschooldeals.com/free-science-plans-using-magic-school-bus-dvds/" target="_blank">Free Homeschool Deals</a>! Wow! I had more than 3,000 visitors here yesterday and those plans were downloaded by nearly 1700 people! I am completely in shock! Many of you are reading this post as a result of finding me there so I'd like to say WELCOME and thank you to all of you who are following my blog!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lz6z8Pk6LrI/Ugl1wwnACUI/AAAAAAAACzE/BinbpMFRmdw/s1600/Liv5.jpg"><img align="left" border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lz6z8Pk6LrI/Ugl1wwnACUI/AAAAAAAACzE/BinbpMFRmdw/s200/Liv5.jpg" style="display: inline; float: left;" width="150" /></a><br />
Miss 7th Grade and I had some chats early on this year about having to really work hard now that she's older. Her load this year is much heavier and I was honestly worried about how she'd handle it. She loves geography so much, she decided to take on the high-school level instead of the mid-level I offered her. Well, this little lady has used her "Quiet Time" (a tool for mom's sanity in our house for an hour each afternoon) to study and has even taken photos of her study sheets with her iPod so she can study at night if she can't sleep! I am so amazed at how independent she has become with her school work and how willing she has become to give it her best! What an overwhelming transformation in this sweet young lady!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tml061nKgKo/Ugl2Jnzh0QI/AAAAAAAACzQ/vcj3kgA5zZI/s1600/Brooke3.jpg"><img align="left" border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Tml061nKgKo/Ugl2Jnzh0QI/AAAAAAAACzQ/vcj3kgA5zZI/s200/Brooke3.jpg" style="display: inline; float: left;" width="150" /></a><br />
Miss 5th grade is my "just let me rub the book on my head and I'll totally get it" kind of kid. She truly amazes me. She normally struggles with her vocabulary so this year we tried something new. We are using English From the Roots Up and I think this is really appealing to her more logical brain. She can use word roots together to truly understand words and has even asked about words not covered in her lessons cause their meanings "just make sense" now. It is such a relief to know your kids are really learning and you've found something that works well for them! Also this week, little miss decided to start reading Lord of the Rings. This is a 450+ page book, so I'm really proud of her!<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_0dEvRJnTGI/Ugl2XiW1kyI/AAAAAAAACzc/-MP4dsu8u2I/s1600/Drew3.jpg"><img align="left" border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_0dEvRJnTGI/Ugl2XiW1kyI/AAAAAAAACzc/-MP4dsu8u2I/s200/Drew3.jpg" style="display: inline; float: left;" width="158" /></a><br />
Mr. 2nd Grade had such a great week! We learned about habitats, double-digit addition with regrouping, characters, setting, nouns, adjectives, verbs and adverbs! We made a <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Complete-Sentence-Buddy-353326">Complete Sentence Buddy</a> as well to remember those important parts of a sentence! I hadn't officially tested his reading level yet, so I was curious how he would do reading the story <i><a href="http://www.mrsperkins.com/files/dolch_story_color.pdf">The Best Thing In The World</a> </i>which has all 220 Dolch sight words through the third grade list. He read through the story well and only got tripped up on two words (both 3rd grade level) Since he just started second grade, I thought he did excellent! Amazingly, he keeps thanking me for teaching him to spell so he can write all kinds of notes to everyone! So fun! However, this guy has hit a stage of getting really frustrated over things not going his way and has an incessant need to pester everyone! He’s always been all boy and rowdy, but obedient and my sweetheart, so this has been tough for both of us. If anyone has a boy who's been through this, I would love some advice to help him deal with this more constructively! <br />
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So tell me, what were the highlights of your week?<br />
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<div class="fb-like" data-href="http://homeschoolbelle.blogspot.com" data-send="true" data-width="450" data-show-faces="true"></div></div>The Homeschool Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18238909575117289490noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308456158123255690.post-15545378454171938832013-08-15T08:19:00.002-07:002020-10-13T06:20:57.957-07:00Free Science Plans Using Magic School Bus DVDs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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As I researched my options for my son's 2nd grade science, I poured over book after book and option after option. Many just seemed way over his head, some were just too pricey and others, well, just looked like they sucked all the fun out of science! All the while, my little man continually asked, "Mom, can I watch <i>one more</i> Magic School Bus, pleeeeease?" Hmmmm, <i>lightbulb</i>!<br />
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So, I spent HOURS pulling together a plan for him to use these DVD's as a basis for his science curriculum. First, I purchased the <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Magic-School-Bus-Complete/dp/B007I1Q4MM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376444583&sr=8-1&keywords=magic+school+bus+complete+series" target="_blank">entire 40 episodes</a> of MSB for less than $40. Or, if you already have a subscription to stream Netflix, you can view all these episodes there!!! A wonderful reader has posted a list in the comments below to to let you know where to find each episode. Thank you, Tawnya!<br />
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I have included a reference on the plans for which disc to use each week, what the topic is, a book to read aloud, a project or experiment, a <a href="http://www.brainpopjr.com/" target="_blank">BrainPop Jr</a> video (optional), and a writing assignment for each topic. The books, I request from my local library, the experiments are inexpensive and easy to do (most from <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a>, yeah Pinterest!) and the writing assignments are all from great teachers and bloggers on <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/" target="_blank">Teacher's Pay Teachers</a> - nearly all of them free! I even lined up some fun activities by the season like <i>light</i> at Christmas time, <i>hearts</i> and <i>circulation</i> in February and <i>constructing</i> a leprechaun trap in March.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YIfOIdvJOOs/UgrlIRA8VtI/AAAAAAAAC0M/_BE59i-HvB4/s1600/Ant+Unit.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YIfOIdvJOOs/UgrlIRA8VtI/AAAAAAAAC0M/_BE59i-HvB4/s320/Ant+Unit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A glimpse of ANTS week materials</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
This is not a full-proof curriculum, and comes with no guarantees. I just thought that after all the work put into this, it would be a shame to have it used for only one child! So this is my gift to all of you! I believe I have triple-checked all the links, but if you happen to run into an issue, please leave me a comment below and I will be sure to correct it.<br />
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If you would like to try this out for yourself, grab a copy of the file <a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Primary-Science-Lesson-Plans-for-Magic-School-Bus-DVDs-829290" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1vg1XS_g3GrgXUlC6dXjidqhoK6t1-nXBIKtmQgj9-xM/edit#gid=1375677097" target="_blank">HERE</a></span></div>
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If you decide to use the plans, either in part or as a whole, would you be so kind as to leave a comment below?<br />
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<div class="fb-like" data-href="http://homeschoolbelle.blogspot.com" data-send="true" data-width="450" data-show-faces="true"></div></div>The Homeschool Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18238909575117289490noreply@blogger.com182tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308456158123255690.post-23385256607313160562013-08-12T15:43:00.000-07:002013-08-12T17:42:18.274-07:00Our (almost) Secret Homeschool Room<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Many of you have amazing homeschool rooms that I pin and adore. I have had designated rooms for school in the past, but we have turned out to be one of those families that just always seems to wind up in our main living areas. So, we have just adjusted to that! Ah! the beauties of homeschooling. <br />
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So while I don’t have a separate room in my house all duddied up with posters and bulletin boards, I have transformed our open-concept great room into a somewhat “secret” homeschool room. Why a “secret” room you ask, well I’m just a little OCD and I really
don’t like clutter. Ask my friends, organizing is a sickness for me that
I just enjoy WAAAAY too much! I hope this will offer some inspiration to those of you who also just don’t have that extra whole room to dedicate to schooling! <br />
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First off is my 2nd grader’s more obvious schooling corner. I found an old school desk at the Salvation Army for $20. Ugly, but fixable.<br />
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Before<br />
<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-TTEynZpwHf4/UglfqZRMMGI/AAAAAAAACv4/UdjNtXaNiuI/s1600-h/IMG_1710%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1710" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pB_KxIERsSs/UglfrmlBFiI/AAAAAAAACwA/AYxNkrdq6g0/IMG_1710_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1710" width="400" /></a><br />
After<br />
<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-u9J7oDdNjbU/Uglftp5hdqI/AAAAAAAACwI/tVzdZ-Fb1Hc/s1600-h/IMG_1715%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1715" border="0" height="266" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6b2TKNUYdGg/Uglfu0TrcPI/AAAAAAAACwQ/BJuX_aePxh4/IMG_1715_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1715" width="400" /></a><br />
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So below is the desk in it’s cozy little corner at the back of our great room. (click the photo below to see more clearly) The white paper on the front is a cutout of ants since that’s what we’re studying in science this week. The awesome, huge pocket chart was a $3 garage sale find – can I get a whoop whoop!!! I use these <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Smethport-Pocket-Chart-Cards-Word/dp/B002A2L85C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376348126&sr=8-1&keywords=pocket+chart+word+bits" target="_blank">Word Bits</a> for our phonics studies. The little blue pocket chart is from the dollar store, the book shelf for our monthly author study is from Ikea ($3 spice rack), the wooden crates behind the desk were purchased with 1/2 off coupons from Michaels and they hold geography books and games (bottom) and our Math-U-See blocks in the teal toolbox and hot dots (top). The picture frame holds our weekly schedule so I know just what’s coming up next. <br />
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<a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dOgegrt1LwQ/UglfwrW-knI/AAAAAAAACwY/klHhwKZTpLs/s1600-h/IMG_1956%25255B4%25255D.jpg"target="_blank"><img alt="IMG_1956" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-VT-mr7wh6NA/Uglfxg0kLHI/AAAAAAAACwg/wBi16tFHk7A
/IMG_1956_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1956" width="400" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-o-bN43NPh-w/UglfykNP5OI/AAAAAAAACwo/03xtd8nPg8Y/s1600-h/IMG_1923%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img align="left" alt="IMG_1923" border="0" height="400" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0BLaip76eOU/UglfzJtdq5I/AAAAAAAACww/3OQFaa8aCKQ/IMG_1923_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; float: left; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1923" width="267" /></a><br />
We use All About Spelling, and these little buckets hold the blue consonant and red vowel <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Educational-Insights-Color-Coded-AlphaMagnets-Lowercase/dp/B0006MUBEM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1376347657&sr=8-5&keywords=alpha+magnets+educational+insights" target="_blank">magnets </a>we use every day. I found these were easier to use for single letters than the tiles. Pulling down one at a time, and then putting them all back -in the right spots- each day got tedious. This is working much better for us! We still use the tiles for the blends and digraphs.<br />
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Across from his desk is a whiteboard I use for teaching. I have magnetic clips to hold posters and graphic organizers which are stored behind the bookshelves you see here. (another hiding spot, hehe! Also peek under the end of the sectional – there’s a pocket chart hidden under there too)<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dIEYWrRfAxc/Uglf0jY7UdI/AAAAAAAACw4/P4rRIyEz_OM/s1600-h/IMG_1959_1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1959_1" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Rm10r-cQGrs/Uglf1hi20tI/AAAAAAAACxA/8DOjNOmd1TY/IMG_1959_1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1959_1" width="400" /></a><br />
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Our home library consists of many, many books from library bag sales. Others are just those we needed. The bottom shelves are organized historically by color tab in 50 year increments. This means that I won’t be covering a history topic from the 1850’s and have to try to find all the books I own that represent that era! So helpful! The top left holds all the classic chapter books from The Penderwicks, which we just finished and highly recommend, to Little Women and Tom Sawyer. The others are arranged by topic (even science books are color coded to coordinate with the cover colors of our apologia science books – see I really do have a problem!)<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-fNJsayWcMgQ/Uglf3MLqX-I/AAAAAAAACxI/mFkarVfmmg4/s1600-h/IMG_1960_1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1960_1" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-McMok7ncUz0/Uglf4J82u4I/AAAAAAAACxQ/evz44HNR1T0/IMG_1960_1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1960_1" width="400" /></a><br />
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So Mr. Man’s little area is to the right of the fireplace. On the left is Mom’s favorite spot!!! This is where I read our group Bible lessons or read alouds. Even the kitty likes to cozy up with us when it’s cold and we get the fire going! My 5th grader uses this spot for her silent reading spot as well. Can’t say I blame her! My other two take either end of our sectional to do their reading.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0157972NliI/Uglf5rnn4YI/AAAAAAAACxY/T1OUDDQOEHA/s1600-h/IMG_1949_1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1949_1" border="0" height="288" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-c6IVp3matF0/Uglf6hDJGiI/AAAAAAAACxg/ld_dYOu10UE/IMG_1949_1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1949_1" width="400" /></a><br />
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Now for that sectional. And my secret weapon… the coffee table. LOL! Underneath, you can see the Wii board (not school related, just a good spot to hide it) My Proclick (you so have to <a href="http://homeschoolbelle.blogspot.com/2012/11/this-week-i-had-to-share-my-new.html" target="_blank">check out my earlier post</a> about this little doodad) and my paper cutter.<br />
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<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-kDpOgxpfVSs/Uglf7_eTpLI/AAAAAAAACxo/12-iXyQBVZ8/s1600-h/IMG_1951_1%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1951_1" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ZGwR1n2acMY/Uglf82s1isI/AAAAAAAACxw/yKABiZI_mQo/IMG_1951_1_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1951_1" width="400" /></a><br />
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Now for the secret part.<br />
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<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-YDYrHZTq11g/Uglf-fowfiI/AAAAAAAACx4/M8gXFRiZtYg/s1600-h/IMG_1952%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1952" border="0" height="266" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-dbJG4svOr14/Uglf_Z3M5nI/AAAAAAAACyA/LMUrQdVQe8o/IMG_1952_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1952" width="400" /></a><br />
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Surprise! More goodies! I LOVE review games more than quizzes! We have some we’ve adapted, downloaded and some we’ve just made up, but that’s a whole ‘nother post! We are using <a href="http://www.seethelightshine.com/" target="_blank">See The Light’s </a>DVD-based art curriculum this year. It only requires simple supplies that are stored for each of my kiddos in here, right in front of the TV all ready to go. Our science lab supplies are kept in the last bucket and can be used on the coffee table or run right over to the kitchen if it’s gonna get messy.<br />
Now let’s swing around to the TV wall. The shelf on the right holds our art DVD’s, Magic School Bus science DVD’s and our Liberty’s Kids series. On the left, the middle shelf houses my history books, while the bottom shelf is our home for library books. (Sometimes this has to overflow to the other bookshelf as well. What can I say, I love books!)<br />
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<a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-bv2TIOKXxhE/UglgApy1uQI/AAAAAAAACyI/HVIplslQlFU/s1600-h/IMG_1953_1%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1953_1" border="0" height="267" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YesTF2LcffY/UglgBQTtFVI/AAAAAAAACyQ/nKkYEMEkoOI/IMG_1953_1_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-color: -moz-use-text-color; border-style: none; border-width: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1953_1" width="400" /></a> <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ojymcanAjj8/UglgCl6mtsI/AAAAAAAACyY/PzyAm3V7BvI/s1600-h/IMG_1955_1%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_1955_1" border="0" height="484" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-VYu6g9eRAYs/UglgDdlXx-I/AAAAAAAACyg/xistj4ITiz8/IMG_1955_1_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; border-right: 0px; border-top: 0px; display: inline; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" title="IMG_1955_1" width="324" /></a><br />
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Tada! Another hiding spot! I also have a glass-door cabinet where I house all my currently-not-being-used curriculum, a cherry armoire in our dining area for my computer and home office that closes completely to hide everything, and a buffet cabinet in my foyer that holds all of our extra school supplies. So now you’re in on my little secret. Shhhh! Don’t tell our guests that coming over for dinner is really coming into school!<br />
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<div class="fb-like" data-href="http://homeschoolbelle.blogspot.com" data-send="true" data-width="450" data-show-faces="true"></div></div>The Homeschool Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18238909575117289490noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308456158123255690.post-77140522460147739862013-08-06T15:43:00.001-07:002013-08-23T12:55:51.271-07:00Our Curriculum Choices This Year<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm so excited to get back to work this year. I know it sounds weird, but after such deliberation over our curriculum choices, I just want to dive in and try it all out! Anyone else out there ready to roll as well?<br />
<h3>
<u>Our Curriculum: 2013-2014</u></h3>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;"><b><u>Seventh Grade</u></b> </span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bible</span></span><br />
<ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">
<li><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ntt=510943&N=0&Ntk=keywords&action=Search&Ne=0&event=ESRCP&nav_search=1&cms=1" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God's Great Covenant OT 2</span></a></li>
</span></ul>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Math</span></span><br />
<ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">
<li><a href="http://mathusee.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Math U See Zeta</span></a></li>
</span></ul>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Geography</span></span><br />
<ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">
<li>
<a href="http://www.home-school-curriculum.com/product/trail-guide-to-us-geography" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trail Guide to US Geography </span></a></li>
</span></ul>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Science</span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">
</span>
<br />
<ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">
<li><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/exploring-creation-with-general-science-volumes/jay-wile/pd/236401?item_code=WW&netp_id=249191&event=ESRCQ&view=details" target="_blank">Apologia General Science</a> (1st Edition with Tests $8.99 @ ChristianBook.com)</span></div>
</li>
</span></ul>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Language Arts</span></span></div>
<ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">
<li><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<a href="http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/fix" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fix-It Grammar</span></a></div>
</li>
<li><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<a href="http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/catalog" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Excellence in Writing</span></a></div>
</li>
<li><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<a href="http://www.christianbook.com/apples-daily-spelling-drills-secondary-students/susan-kemmerer/9780975854303/pd/727011?product_redirect=1&Ntt=727011&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Apples Spelling Drills</span></a></div>
</li>
<li><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<a href="http://www.christianbook.com/english-from-the-roots-flash-cards/pd/4105?product_redirect=1&Ntt=4105&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">English From the Roots Up</span></a></div>
</li>
</span></ul>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Electives</span></span><br />
<ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.seethelightshine.com/store/art-class-1-year-set.html" target="_blank">See The Light Art Class </a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/035642/07530074a703ce6a19d452a7" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Music Ace Deluxe</span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/proddtl.php?id=045999" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Typing Instructor </span></a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/mind-benders-book-grades-7-12/9781601443052/pd/278335?product_redirect=1&Ntt=278335&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mind Benders Book 5</span></a></li>
</span></ul>
</div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">
</span><br />
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<br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;"><u><b>Fifth Grade</b></u></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bible</span><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ntt=510943&N=0&Ntk=keywords&action=Search&Ne=0&event=ESRCP&nav_search=1&cms=1" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God's Great Covenant OT 2</span></a></li>
</ul>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Math</span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<a href="http://mathusee.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Math U See Epsilon</span></a></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Geography</span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<a href="http://www.home-school-curriculum.com/product/trail-guide-to-us-geography" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trail Guide to US Geography </span></a></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Science</span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/exploring-creation-with-human-anatomy-physiology/jeannie-fulbright/9781935495147/pd/337015?item_code=WW&netp_id=606917&event=ESRCP&view=details" target="_blank">Apologia Human Anatomy and Physiology</a></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Language Arts</span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<a href="http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/fix" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fix-It Grammar</span></a></div>
</li>
<li><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<a href="http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/catalog" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Excellence in Writing</span></a></div>
</li>
<li><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<a href="http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/eis-a" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Phonetic Zoo</span></a></div>
</li>
<li><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<a href="http://www.christianbook.com/english-from-the-roots-flash-cards/pd/4105?product_redirect=1&Ntt=4105&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">English From the Roots Up</span></a></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Electives</span></div>
<ul><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <a href="http://www.seethelightshine.com/store/art-class-1-year-set.html" target="_blank">See The Light Art Class </a></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/035642/07530074a703ce6a19d452a7" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Music Ace Deluxe</span></a></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/proddtl.php?id=045999" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Typing Instructor </span></a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1601443048/ref=oh_details_o09_s01_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mind Benders Book 4</span></a></li>
</span></ul>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">
</span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #353535; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small; line-height: 19px;"><u><b>Second Grade</b> </u></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Verdana,sans-serif; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bible</span><br />
<ul>
<li><a href="http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?Ntt=510943&N=0&Ntk=keywords&action=Search&Ne=0&event=ESRCP&nav_search=1&cms=1" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God's Great Covenant OT 2</span></a></li>
</ul>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Math</span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<a href="http://mathusee.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Math U See Beta</span></a></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Geography</span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<a href="http://www.home-school-curriculum.com/product/trail-guide-to-us-geography" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trail Guide to US Geography </span></a></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Science</span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Magic-School-Bus-Complete/dp/B007I1Q4MM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370394232&sr=8-1&keywords=magic+school+bus+complete+series" target="_blank">Magic School Bus</a> with my own added plans for books and experiments <i>(I will be posting these plans as a freebie soon!!!)</i></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Language Arts</span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<a href="http://www.excellenceinwriting.com/pal-wt" target="_blank">Primary Arts of Language - Writing</a></div>
</li>
<li><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.allaboutlearningpress.com/all-about-spelling" target="_blank">All About Spelling Levels 2 and 3</a></span></div>
</li>
<li><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<a href="http://web.riverdeep.net/portal/page?_pageid=818,1381991,818_1382020&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL" target="_blank">Destination Reading</a></div>
</li>
</ul>
<div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Electives</span></div>
<ul>
<li><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/035642/07530074a703ce6a19d452a7" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Music Ace Deluxe</span></a></div>
</li>
<li><div style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.rainbowresource.com/proddtl.php?id=011311" target="_blank">Mind Benders</a> - Thinking Skills</span><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope you all are getting your choices nailed down and feeling confident about a great new year! Best wishes to all of you!</span>
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<div class="fb-like" data-href="http://homeschoolbelle.blogspot.com" data-send="true" data-width="450" data-show-faces="true"></div></div>The Homeschool Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18238909575117289490noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308456158123255690.post-85165758903667995792013-07-10T08:09:00.000-07:002013-07-10T08:14:36.195-07:00My first item on Teachers Pay Teachers!<br />
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Deconstructing-Penguins-Parents-Kids-Reading/dp/0812970284/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373467827&sr=8-1&keywords=deconstructing+penguins" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8V4od6G9eSM/Ud11fzC8LNI/AAAAAAAACtQ/3q5f0LfMR9A/s320/deconstructingpenguins.jpg" width="201" /></a></div>
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After reading the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Deconstructing-Penguins-Parents-Kids-Reading/dp/0812970284/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1373467827&sr=8-1&keywords=deconstructing+penguins" target="_blank"><u>Deconstructing Penguins</u></a> by Lawrence and Nancy Goldstone, I am so excited to really "dig-in" to some great books this year! There were so many great explanations and examples in this book, I wanted a way to work through literature with my children in a consistent way. So, I developed these posters that work with any book to follow the clues and find the literary elements of the books we read. Click the image below to check it out!<br />
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<a href="http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Literary-Detective-Book-Club-Study-for-Elementary-Literary-Analysis-762544" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rhdPjpcVp7k/Udt60sf0Y9I/AAAAAAAACtA/eYSTJk0ynzU/s320/LiteraryDetective.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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I hope you enjoy both the book and the graphic organizer posters! Have a great summer!<br />
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<div class="fb-like" data-href="http://homeschoolbelle.blogspot.com" data-send="true" data-width="450" data-show-faces="true"></div></div>The Homeschool Bellehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18238909575117289490noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2308456158123255690.post-58522286235842429412013-06-05T06:03:00.001-07:002013-06-05T06:10:07.689-07:00End of the year wrap-up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This was a difficult blogging year because of both crazy schedules and issues with our camera and computer. So, since I was able to get a new laptop and a new camera this year (so blessed!), I thought I'd wrap up our year with some highlights from our second semester. </div>
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Organizing my home library to sort history and historic fiction books into 50 year sections. Helpful so we don't move past an era of history only to find a great correlating book weeks later :) Ok, so this was my highlight, not the kids. But hey, I was excited about it!</div>
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Before our trip to see the Symphony Orchestra, we constructed our own set to see where all the instruments would be one the stage. The concert culminated with the theme song from Star Wars, so it was a huge hit with my kids!</div>
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Yeah!! Finished Level 1 of Spelling and began Level 2! Also finished his first grade math book in the spring and moved right into the next one! LOVE that we can do that!</div>
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Playing with our new snap circuits kit.</div>
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AWANA Grand Prix! My oldest won 3rd for her design of a Surf Board car.</div>
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Studying all about the Tabernacle in our Bible lessons, so... we built one!</div>
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Had some baby chicks visit with us some friends of ours after their church's Easter egg hunt.</div>
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Our new little kitty, Chloe :)</div>
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Awesome study buddy!</div>
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Making Grace Gardens for Easter</div>
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Painting a Lupine after reading Miss Rumphius</div>
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During our study of Pioneers, the girls got to try a "sampler" of cross stitching. They actually liked it and spent hours working on their projects!</div>
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Our vet-to-be got her first stethoscope in her favorite color, purple! Our new vet office was so kind to answer all her questions about vets for her research paper, give her a tour of the vet office and even let her listen to our kitty's heartbeat.</div>
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We read The Bee Tree and a poor bumble bee that croaked on our front porch became a perfect study specimen.</div>
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Had some fun with magnifying glasses burning blades of grass on the driveway.</div>
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Gymnastics show! My little cowgirl got great scores and moved up to the pre-team class!!! Congrats, sweetie!</div>
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Last week of school. I put a paper with the day's activities in each balloon. The kids took turns popping the balloon each morning to find out what activity was planned for the day.</div>
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Last week of school trip to the zoo!</div>
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Last week of school: Wacky Experiment Day! </div>
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We had our ups and downs, but overall this was our best year yet! I am so amazed at the growth in my children this year, both academically and in their maturity. While we are just beginning our summer break, I am already excited about our upcoming year and all we will get to experience together!</div>
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Every
teacher/homeschooler knows the need for great books. Most of the time, it works
out fine to get your necessary books from the library, but sometimes,
when you know it will be one that is going to take a while, you need to
have those in your home library. Then there are those favorites that
your kiddos just love to peruse again and again. Well, how do you build
your home library without going completely broke? USED BOOKS!!! </div>
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Here are a couple of my favorite places to look:</div>
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<a href="http://www.booksalefinder.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="60" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DoiKKolSb90/UQGHgLMBx0I/AAAAAAAACkY/WjpnC6wzbH0/s200/BSFlogo.gif" width="200" /></a> </div>
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This
website gives you info on tons of great used book sales by location. I
found sales at two of my local libraries in the same week and rounded up
some great buys! The whole stack below (including a hardcover,
11-volume history encyclopedia set) came home with me for only $21.
Whooo hoooo!</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I93vJNbc__c/UQGI827LjNI/AAAAAAAACk8/UsNd4uubQ6g/s1600/book+sale.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-I93vJNbc__c/UQGI827LjNI/AAAAAAAACk8/UsNd4uubQ6g/s400/book+sale.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<br />
And
the best part of bringing home a stack of "new" books --> the child
who can't even get her coat off cause she's so lost in the book she
picked! Usually the libraries have Bag Sales on the last day as well.
For $4 or $5 dollars, you can fill a paper grocery bag with any of the
books there! I've gotten TONS of books this way as well!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KWbRWphoBKY/UQGHtf70jyI/AAAAAAAACko/rLulVxoJXCc/s1600/reader.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KWbRWphoBKY/UQGHtf70jyI/AAAAAAAACko/rLulVxoJXCc/s320/reader.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
And
when you need that specific book that you just can't seem to find
anywhere, what do you do? Amazon is still expensive, eBay doesn't have
it. hmm. Well, I turn to my favorite website to find used books: DealOz<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://www.dealoz.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PPQLfu2_7AU/UQGP1U5x31I/AAAAAAAAClk/kEU0JiXDe48/s1600/dealozlogo.gif" /></a></div>
I absolutely love this site as it searches many other used book stores including Amazon, eBay, AbeBooks and Better World books for the lowest prices! You can even sort by price to make that easy! Love, love, love this website!<br />
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I get no compensation from either of these sites. I just love them and wanted to share this great info with you! Happy Shopping!<br />
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P.S. I have ordered frequently from Better World Books and have found
them to be absolutely fabulous - their customer service staff were
absolutely wonderful ---> highly recommended!</div>
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<br />
Hey
there everyone! It's back: the Dollar Deals sale at Scholastic's
Teacher Express is going on now FOR ONE DAY ONLY!!!<br />
<br />
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<a href="http://teacherexpress.scholastic.com/dollardeals?dir=asc&limit=64&order=position" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img alt="Scholastic Teachers Express Store" src="http://content.scholastic.com/te-static/skin/frontend/scholastic/tr/images/logo.gif" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
There are hundreds
of their popular books to choose from and this is so much easier then paying $15 for a book and then making copies of page after page for each of my children! We are planning to use the <a href="http://teacherexpress.scholastic.com/the-body-book-mkt13888" target="_blank">Body Book</a> with our Apologia Science next year and the <a href="http://teacherexpress.scholastic.com/catalogsearch/result/?q=hands+on+history&name.x=0&name.y=0" target="_blank">Hands On History</a> as well! See what "pumps up" your curriculum - you can't beat the price!<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We had each side of the family over separately - two days in a row. Let's just say, I'm really set on turkey for a while! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am almost done with my Christmas shopping. Whew! One more gift to buy and then I can break out the wrapping paper. I don't know about you, but Christmas always seems to come before I've even mentally accepted that it's the end of the year. Any one else a little shocked that 2012 is nearing an end ALREADY?!? Well, since I'm sure your funds, just like mine, are tapped out on holiday spending, maybe you've put filling some curriculum needs on hold for a while. Well, I've found a freebie I thought I'd share... ok, spoiler alert: 2 freebies!</span><br />
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<a href="http://www.funnix.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WMmN5izI6Pk/UL4G3AtvQoI/AAAAAAAACj0/QSyvyRuZKf8/s320/funnixmathsnowman.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #6aa84f; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.funnix.com/" target="_blank">FUNNIX MATH</a> IS FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The website says: this "is a 100-lesson computer program designed for children who have not learned beginning math operations."</span></div>
<br />
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<a href="http://www.funnix.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="223" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-R-Sj8H_x0-w/UL4GzZDkFLI/AAAAAAAACjs/xQomXPky3tc/s320/funnixmathpromopic.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Included are "</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">100 animated, computer-based lessons, workbook material, a teaching guide, and a placement test for assessing the child. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The program is unique in the sophistication of skills it teaches in only 100 lessons. Children learn different types of counting. They use counting by tens and counting by ones to solve addition problems that traditionally require carrying. For example: 45+35.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span"></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Signing up for the free download is simple. All you do is fill out a form and submit it. You will then receive an email with all instructions on how to receive the program."</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And BONUS: Their fantastic <a href="http://www.funnix.com/funnix2012/programinfo.htm" target="_blank">Funnix Beginning Reading</a> program will also be available FREE from December 16 - December 31</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Make sure you check out these great programs - after all, you can't go wrong trying something for free! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><i>Pineapple Chicken Teriyaki Sandwiches</i></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This is one of those yummy go-to recipes in our home that is so simple to throw together on a busy weeknight. My kids actually beg for this dinner too! So... cheap, affordable, fast and big "mmmmm" sounds from the whole family ranks this meal a perfect 10 in our house!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--JgU4nYP-Lc/UKL1FmnKj0I/AAAAAAAACjY/AjOD8JNQ4mM/s1600/rotisserie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--JgU4nYP-Lc/UKL1FmnKj0I/AAAAAAAACjY/AjOD8JNQ4mM/s320/rotisserie.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Start by <strike>slaving away over a hot stove, cooking and shredding chicken breasts</strike> tossing one of those amazing pre-cooked rotisserie chickens in your cart at the grocery store. Then just chop it up before preparing the sauce.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">In a large skillet or sauce pan, add the following ingredients and heat:</span></div>
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<li class="item" id="22751479">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="content">
<span class="ingquantity">2</span>
Tsp Finely Chopped Green Onion
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="content">
<span class="ingquantity">1/2</span>
c teriyaki sauce
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="content">
<span class="ingquantity">2/3</span>
c Pineapple Juice (I just use the juice from the can of sliced pineapples you'll need later)</span></span>
</li>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="content">
<span class="ingquantity">2/3</span>
c Barbecue Sauce
</span></span>
</li>
<li class="item" id="22751483">
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="content">
<span class="ingquantity">4</span>
Tbs Brown Sugar
</span></span>
</li>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="content">
season with salt, pepper and garlic powder </span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I add a little cornstarch (2 tsp?) and water mixture to thicken it as well. Once it has thickened, add the chicken to warm. The chunks of chicken will fall apart as it heats to give it the "shredded chicken" texture.<span class="content"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="content">You will also need: </span></span></div>
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<li class="item" id="22751484"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="content">hamburger buns</span></span></li>
<li class="item" id="22751484"><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span class="content">can of pineapple slices in juice</span></span></li>
</ul>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nTdRsehMdJs/UKL1FHEdAWI/AAAAAAAACjQ/yf4f2WnrD_g/s1600/ChxTeriyaki.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nTdRsehMdJs/UKL1FHEdAWI/AAAAAAAACjQ/yf4f2WnrD_g/s320/ChxTeriyaki.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Add a yummy pineapple slice and toss some chips and fruit on the side and they are ready to serve. These are amazing! But hey, don't take my word for it --> try them for yourself! </span><br />
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