The Homeschool Mother's Journal - Summer Is Almost Over!

In my life this week….

Since last updating we completed our week of unplugged and survived!  It was a great week to catch up on some lesson plans, bible reading, game playing, and of course a fun fashion show!

My favorite thing this week was…

Putting together this jeopardy game for our Classical Conversations review time.  Oh boy - did I have fun laminating.  :)

Places I’m going…

We have a final week of summer camps coming up and then it's back to school!

Things I’m working on…

• getting back into routine (including getting back to weekly lists!)
• catching up on my Bible in 90 Days reading
• finishing school room preparation
• finishing tutoring preparation for CC

Books I’m reading…

My Bible 
How To Have A HEART For Your Kids (review coming soon)

A quote, a video, a link or pic to share…

A photo glimpse into my week..........

The planning and prepping stages - they sure ain't pretty!  (Just for you Sue!)

Doesn't everyone's house look like school threw up on it right now?

Share your week and check out what other homeschoolers are up to this summer by visiting The Homeschool Chick.

A Couple of BlogRolls we are on

This will be our first year using My Father's World (MFW) so we are starting with ECC as suggested and can't wait to get started!  If you are using MFW be sure to sign up.

And for our 2nd year we will be receiving and reviewing products for The Crew!  Some reviews are in process right now!  We are looking forward to a great year!


The count down to a new school year is underway.....August 15th!

The Homeschool Mother's Journal - Summer

In my life this week….

VBS, VBS for the past 2 weeks!  Last week was decorating and preparation week.  This week was the actual week of fun!  So, today I am crashing!!

My favorite thing this week was…

Being able to share in the process of six children giving their little precious lives over to Jesus!

Places I’m going…

This week we have orientation for Classical Conversations - both the Challenge A classes and the Foundations.

Things I’m working on…

• getting back into routine (including getting back to weekly lists!)
• catching up on my Bible in 90 Days reading
• finishing school room preparation
• finishing tutoring preparation for CC

Books I’m reading…

My Bible only right now until I can stay caught up!!

A quote, a video, a link or pic to share…

A photo glimpse into my week..........

My helpers making Statue of Liberty Hats for VBS!  

My pure joy :)

You can also join up to share your week and check out what other homeschoolers are up to this summer by visiting The Homeschool Chick.

Our School Room

Each Monday in July (or some day there about :)  - I will be linking up with Amber over at A Classic Housewife for Back To Homeschool!
 
This week we are sharing our homeschool rooms and/or organization tips.

Here is our school room.  It is still a work in progress at the moment as we are clearing out last year’s items and ordering, receiving, and shelving this year’s items.

This is the kids section.  Each child has 2 shelves to hold their workbooks.  Above their shelves is our Classical Conversations memory work board that holds a week’s worth of information.  The desk is the computer area and where some independent work is done.


In this section is where we meet as a family.  We update the calendar, do our pledges, bible study and My Father’s World family studies at this table.  This is also where I work one on one with each child.  I sit in front of the book shelf so my teacher manuals and other items that I need are located here.  All of the children’s reading books for the year are here too.
In the left corner is where I keep extra printer paper, expo markers, rulers, extra pens and pencils, etc.  My Well Planned Day Binder is there on top of the printer.  It houses our weekly school plans (that I made using a variety of planning resources) but not the Well Planned Day planner, lol, because I didn't think it fit very well and I also use that planner for my personal planner instead of homeschool.  Clear as mud?



These are my grab and go bags for Classical Conversations Days.  They will probably be changing into a rolling cart this year since I will also be a tutor.  I just haven’t made that transition yet.  And the last picture is just a different angle of the room.

If you look close you’ll see the calendar says May . 


And there you have our homeschool room!

Love In A Diet Winner is.......

Doreen whose weight loss advice was....


"One of the best keys to weight loss is drinking lots of water and portion control."


Congratulations Doreen!  I have emailed you!

Back To Home School in July - Week 2

Each Monday in July (or some day there about :)  - I will be linking up with Amber over at A Classic Housewife for Back To Homeschool!
 
Here are the topics if you'd like to join too!


July 11th ~Your Curriculum (Or “must haves” for supplemental learning, favorite resources, etc.)
July 18th~Your School Room/Area (Or your favorite organizers/tools/etc.)
July 25th~Your School Day, Lesson Planning, Organizing, or Record Keeping


Our Homeschool 2011-2012 Curriculum

Our 2011-2012 curriculum choices are based on several factors.  1) We are a part of Classical Conversations group so several of our curriculum choices reflect this decision.  2) My desire is for our family to study subjects together whenever we can.

You can find our curriculum choices laid out in detail by clicking on each grade level.  8th, 5th, and 3rd.

Something that has been a part of our homeschool since the beginning that I could not do without is my own planning!  I love laid out plans but I always tweak them to fit our time and schedule.    

My must haves are......

• weekly plans
• dry erase board and markers
• Classical Conversations board (look at the bottom of the post)
• lots of prayer
• the ability to let go of something if necessary
• laminator!!
• copy machine/printer

My Bible in 90 days plan

I now have my mentor and group established and I'm already enjoying getting to know the ladies in our group!  As a matter of fact, one of them, Christy is who I'm linking up to with my plan of action!

1. You Version App on my phone - I plan to do the majority of my reading on my phone app.  The Bible in 90 days plan is up there as a choice of reading plans.
2. Set Reading Times - The majority of the reading I plan to get done when I get up in the morning during my quiet time. Our family also has an afternoon quiet time each day (when we are home!) so I can use that to "catch up" if need be. 
3. Connecting with my group (group #45) - Accountability really should be my middle name.  My middle initial is already A anyway.  :)  I am so grateful for the internet and the areas of accountability that I can find help in!
4. Bible first! - I will read no other book until I have finished my daily reading.  I LOVE to read so that will be a super motivator for me.  Especially since I just received Reshaping It All and Made To Crave!
5. I want to be a mentor! - I want to accomplish this so I too can be a mentor for the next group and pay it forward!

It's not too late to join!  Let's do this!