Okay, well back to the drawing board. April, my sister, mentioned a curriculum yesterday, My Father's World, that I have heard of before...but I thought it was just a science curriculum, not the full thing. Anyway, I checked it out online, and it really looks great. I love so much about it... it is a full curriculum, it is unit study based, and the huge plus is that it is completely centered around God. And it's not expensive-I can't believe the price compared to other things! Yeah! So that pretty much meets all my desires for a curriculum. I don't know how I missed this one...several people in my homeschool group use this, but like I said above, I thought it was just a science curriculum...and I didn't want to piece together a curriculum from lots of places. So I didn't really look any further into it.
So now I am leaning more towards this one...My Father's World. The website says that the day's activities and lessons take about 1- 1.5 hours...which is much better than the GVA curriculum which estimates around 4- 4.5 hours a day. I think my favorite part is that it is really close to what we have been doing this year, except I don't have to plan it!!! Plus I can still do a lapbook with it all if we want.
So, unless I change my mind again (which is always a possiblity) I think we will go with My Father's World next year.
Tuesday, April 28
Monday, April 27
Too good to be true?
Well...curriculum plans for 2009/10 school year have been on my mind lately! There are too many choices, and all great. My biggest problem is money...I love the idea of a full curriculum and have been looking at those choices for next year, but they are all expensive! I have been doing unit studies this year (free!) I LOVE doing these and James seems to like it too. We get to focus on topics he likes, and really dive into a subject. However the downside to unit studies next year, I will have anxiety over whether or not I am covering enough... Another reason I would like to go to a full curriculum would be for my benefit... CONSISTANCY! My biggest weakness in homeschooling is staying consistant. This year I have excused my lazy/bad days when we don't really do anything schoolworthy on the fact that he's only in PreK and way ahead of where other's his age are...but I can't do that anymore!!! He deserves better, and the school system kinda would frown on that...
That is why I would love a full curriculum...the schedule would be laid out for me, and we would just follow the day's planned activities and lessons...no need for me to plan anything out. That would be nice and less stressful on my part.
For the last two weeks I have been considering whether or not to enroll James in GVA, Georgia Virtual Academy.
Here is a short video ABC did on them...
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/Story?id=7191679&page=1
It is absolutely free, they send you all the books, workbooks, CD's, manipulatives, etc...all free sent to your doorstep. In fact, if you qualify (which we probably would) they even send you a loaner computer and printer and pay subsidized internet. James loves learning on the computer. He would love seeing a teacher come thru and talk with him and interact with him...and other students. We would be able to do things at our on pace, but still have the accountablity/consistancy I am looking for. Having to be present and log hours each school day, while it may be a downside for others, it is a plus for me! Did I mention it's all free? They also do field trips together all over the state of Georgia, and there are local meet and greets too... it all sound really great. Too good to be true? hmmm....
One downside is it is a public school, so the curriculum definitely won't be God centered...may include subjects like evolution, etc. but Mark and I talked about this is the great thing about being at home...I can put my spin on the lessons and we could supplement a Bible and character class ourselves...this would be easy, and I would like that...I have my eye on a few things for bible/character already. And the school says that we find any lesson/materials objectable, the teachers will give alternative materials for lessons.
Also, we can unenroll at anytime for any reason...which was a great thing for my fears of the unknown...So...I bit the bullet, and decided to enroll him. But...they anticipate so many people enrolling, that they may have to do a lottery to see who will get in...which is making me anxious! They will know May 15th...which is taking forever to get here! I just want to know!
I will keep you posted.
That is why I would love a full curriculum...the schedule would be laid out for me, and we would just follow the day's planned activities and lessons...no need for me to plan anything out. That would be nice and less stressful on my part.
For the last two weeks I have been considering whether or not to enroll James in GVA, Georgia Virtual Academy.
Here is a short video ABC did on them...
http://abcnews.go.com/WN/Story?id=7191679&page=1
It is absolutely free, they send you all the books, workbooks, CD's, manipulatives, etc...all free sent to your doorstep. In fact, if you qualify (which we probably would) they even send you a loaner computer and printer and pay subsidized internet. James loves learning on the computer. He would love seeing a teacher come thru and talk with him and interact with him...and other students. We would be able to do things at our on pace, but still have the accountablity/consistancy I am looking for. Having to be present and log hours each school day, while it may be a downside for others, it is a plus for me! Did I mention it's all free? They also do field trips together all over the state of Georgia, and there are local meet and greets too... it all sound really great. Too good to be true? hmmm....
One downside is it is a public school, so the curriculum definitely won't be God centered...may include subjects like evolution, etc. but Mark and I talked about this is the great thing about being at home...I can put my spin on the lessons and we could supplement a Bible and character class ourselves...this would be easy, and I would like that...I have my eye on a few things for bible/character already. And the school says that we find any lesson/materials objectable, the teachers will give alternative materials for lessons.
Also, we can unenroll at anytime for any reason...which was a great thing for my fears of the unknown...So...I bit the bullet, and decided to enroll him. But...they anticipate so many people enrolling, that they may have to do a lottery to see who will get in...which is making me anxious! They will know May 15th...which is taking forever to get here! I just want to know!
I will keep you posted.
Sunday, April 26
GSU Raptor Center - Wetlands Grand Opening
Saturday, Mark and I got to take James to the grand opening of the GSU Raptor Center Grand opening of their 15 acre wetlands. Or as James called it, "the wrapped up center"! It was packed! They had great activities and crafts for the kids, and lots of neat educational exhibits set up along the paths. It was a really nice day just with James...Bella stayed at grandma's house with Grandma Fay watching her, so that was an added treat! After our "fieldtrip" we went our for a very cool and refreshing frosty from Wendy's and then got a little wet as we washed the car.
There are logs you can crawl through, and you explore what could be living in real ones...little boxes in the ground as you go...
There was a beekeeper family there with honey to sample and buy, and the man was explaining to James where the queen, drones, and workers were...and where the honey was, babies, and pollen was stored.
We crossed a small bridge and James found a trap in the water, pulled it out...and along came someone on the staff to open it up and explain what and how they were caught... some crayfishs/crawdads and waterbeatles
Counting the tree rings...
and solving picture puzzles...
Nothing like a good old car wash to cool you down on a hot day!
Thursday, April 23
Daily Chores Devo
I subscribe to an Alpha Omega (homeschool) email devotional. The title for the last one was Daily Chores, so this caught my eye immediately! I have James help out with chores (Bella too), but he still needs to work on his constant complaining... so I was anxious to read and find out if this devo would have any good tips. Little did I know, that this email was going to be for me, not James!!! This was so good...I thought I would share. I know not all of you are homeschoolers, but you can ignore the homeschool part, and it still applies to us all!
Daily Chores
Sunday / April 19, 2009
What chores have you delegated to your children to keep the homeschooling wheels turning in your family? To save electricity and money, my youngest daughter's chore was hanging up the clothes to dry. Each morning after breakfast, she either hung the clothes outside in the fresh summer air or inside on the drying rack during the winter months. With six people in our family, this task grew into a time-consuming chore. Early on, she discovered that no amount of complaining or procrastinating would relieve her of the responsibility. Learning to face the task with resolve and determination, she acquired a work ethic that has since served her well in the work place.
In living the Christian life, you too may face "chores" God has given you to do. Serving on church committees, hosting backyard Bible clubs, and teaching Sunday school can seem like added burdens to an already full homeschooling schedule. Although the extra discipline required to minister to others may seem daunting at the time, you'll discover it develops a Christ-like character that glorifies the Lord.
What about you? Are you complaining about the chores God has given you to do or have you learned to submit to the lesson of servanthood? Make no mistake, God will keep leading you back to what He last asked you to do until you say, "Yes, Lord. Here I am, send me." Embrace the responsibility and see the task for what it is-an opportunity to glorify your Lord and bless others. Is there anything better you could be doing with your life? "Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28).
Lord, forgive me for complaining and shirking the responsibilities You've given to me. Open my eyes to see the joys of blessing others with Your love and let me serve You today with a totally devoted heart. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.
Daily Chores
Sunday / April 19, 2009
What chores have you delegated to your children to keep the homeschooling wheels turning in your family? To save electricity and money, my youngest daughter's chore was hanging up the clothes to dry. Each morning after breakfast, she either hung the clothes outside in the fresh summer air or inside on the drying rack during the winter months. With six people in our family, this task grew into a time-consuming chore. Early on, she discovered that no amount of complaining or procrastinating would relieve her of the responsibility. Learning to face the task with resolve and determination, she acquired a work ethic that has since served her well in the work place.
In living the Christian life, you too may face "chores" God has given you to do. Serving on church committees, hosting backyard Bible clubs, and teaching Sunday school can seem like added burdens to an already full homeschooling schedule. Although the extra discipline required to minister to others may seem daunting at the time, you'll discover it develops a Christ-like character that glorifies the Lord.
What about you? Are you complaining about the chores God has given you to do or have you learned to submit to the lesson of servanthood? Make no mistake, God will keep leading you back to what He last asked you to do until you say, "Yes, Lord. Here I am, send me." Embrace the responsibility and see the task for what it is-an opportunity to glorify your Lord and bless others. Is there anything better you could be doing with your life? "Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28).
Lord, forgive me for complaining and shirking the responsibilities You've given to me. Open my eyes to see the joys of blessing others with Your love and let me serve You today with a totally devoted heart. In the precious name of Jesus, Amen.
Thursday, April 9
Kids Links
Okay, this was one of those days where I just got "lost" on the internet in a world of endless info and links! Here are just a few things I found that will keep me busy for a while!
A free children's Spanish teaching website. Very neat.
http://www.onlinefreespanish.com/
Here is a link to a blog...TONS of great sites for kids.
http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/2008/05/holy-shmokes-th.html
Mrs. Momma's Blogpage...she has tons of links on her sidebar-
http://mrsmomma.blogspot.com
Interactive Grade Level Skill Practice
http://internet4classrooms.com/grade_level_help.htm
Very excited about Easter this Sunday. Hope to post soon about our unit studies and lapbooks we have been doing.
A free children's Spanish teaching website. Very neat.
http://www.onlinefreespanish.com/
Here is a link to a blog...TONS of great sites for kids.
http://rocksinmydryer.typepad.com/shannon/2008/05/holy-shmokes-th.html
Mrs. Momma's Blogpage...she has tons of links on her sidebar-
http://mrsmomma.blogspot.com
Interactive Grade Level Skill Practice
http://internet4classrooms.com/grade_level_help.htm
Very excited about Easter this Sunday. Hope to post soon about our unit studies and lapbooks we have been doing.
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