love to paint

I'm working on my daughter's social studies for this year.  I've found several resources on the way.  I often ask myself, "Why am I doing this?  Why am I not buying a premade curriculum?"  I've read several books about homeschooling on a shoestring and lots of blog posts about it and realize that the money you save by not buying books, you spend in time.  So, there has to be some other reason... I've come to the conclusion that I enjoy the search.  I enjoy thinking through a topic and getting on top of it before my children study it.  I enjoy developing a big picture of the topic. Last year, Autumn studied the 1700s of American History.  This year, my goal is to cover the 1800s and 1900s.  So far, I have compiled up to 1850 and am working on the Civil War.  Here's a list of free resources I've found that I've liked.  I'm using a very brief book titled Kids' Guide to American History to give my daughter a brief (very brief) idea ...

New routines... New books... The End of Summer. I am actually thankful for this summer to end.  We frequent the community pool and I have so many different conversations over the course of the summer with many moms.  I've often heard as the summer comes to a close that the moms are ready for their kids to go back to school.  I never thought I'd say this, but I am saying it this summer... This summer, I've heard it from myself and a few other homeschool moms.  We've shared with each other about how too much free time leads to bickering and less enjoyed play time for their kids.  The structure of the homeschool day can be a good thing.  There is a satisfaction for adults and children alike of having gotten something done. But, is that all?  Not in my case. Why am I glad?  Honestly, I had a horrible summer.  It was a very difficult one emotionally.  Grappling with my mom's illness and its impact on her, my family, and me became th...

My big project that needs to be done this week is to compile the worksheets for Autumn's American History this year.  I've found several great sites along the way and today I found this one: http://www.stonesouphomeschool.com/unit-study-database.html#C It's a database of lots of unit studies on the web. Yay!  I love anything that makes my searching simpler.  Some of the links aren't active, but many are.  1 of the 3 I tried didn't work.  But, it is a place to start!

I was very excited to find these tonight! I am compiling my 6th grade daughter's chemistry curriculum.  I couldn't bring myself to spend $140 on Noeo's Chemistry 2 curriculum, so I'm compiling my own.  (The books I bought cost $39 altogether.)  It's a little bit of work to plan it out, but I'm enjoying the research as I discover what makes up the study of chemistry. Last year, I tried to use Christian Kids Explore Earth and Space with my children, but they disliked it.  I found myself filling in the blanks and the big jumps the authors made between topics.  I have struggled with science for several years. As a Christian, I feel that I need to help my kids develop a Christian worldview of creation and science.  But, the curriculum I've loved most is HSP Science from Harcourt.  My eldest daughter did Singapore's kindergarten science, then HSP science for 1st-3rd, Considering God's Creation for 4th and then HSP science for 5th.  My second daugh...

My kids started soccer practice this week.  It has been interesting in so many ways.  I have been reminded to be thankful that I have the opportunity to homeschool.  One mom explained to me that two parents have to work today unless one parent makes an insane amount of money.  I could tell how much she loves her kids and cherishes her time with them.   I watched another set of parents juggle their kids and split duties as they adjust to changes in their family.  I saw this last year, too, when two parents had separated and had to juggle work and their kids' practices.   I walk around and meet all the parents.  I ask lots of questions and get to know them.  Last year, I was the new parent to soccer.  My older daughter's team had all played together for several years and then my middle daughter's team was over half returning kids who knew each other.  This year my daughters' team is half returning, half new.  My son's team...

A few years ago, my girls came upon Adventures in Odyssey's Imagination Station series of books.  This series is similar to the Magic Treehouse Books.   I haven't read one in quite some time.  A month or two ago, the most recent addition to the series arrived, Captured on the High Seas .  My girls quickly read it and seemed to enjoy it. Amidst the busyness, I did not get a review posted of this book.  Now that the kids' bedrooms are painted I realize that the time has come to catch up!  So, I'm starting with this book. The Imagination Station series focuses on cousins Patrick and Beth.   Captured on the High Seas is the second of a 3 adventure series set in the American Revolutionary War.  The first book, The Red Coats are Coming , found them at the battle of Concord.  This book finds Patrick and Beth on an American Ship that is captured by the British.  They become friends with a boy named James.  He helps them and they help...