May 22, 2012

A Few of My Favorite Homeschooling Websites

Throughout the next few weeks, I’ll be joining in with the bloggers from iHomeschoolNetwork to offer some of my Top 10′s. The Top Ten Tuesday link up is hosted by my friend, Angie from Many Little Blessings.

This week, we’re sharing our favorite homeschooling sites. I’m going to warn you right now…mine are different in the fact that few of them are actual homeschool sites. However, these are the sites I find myself going to over and over again throughout the course of a homeschool year and that’s why they are on my list. {By the way, these are listed in order of how often I use them.}

—- #1 —-

SCHOLARIC – I was introduced to Scholaric by Amanda from The Pelsers, but it took me months to finally sign up for a free trial of their lesson plan software because I have always shied away from such things due to how complicated they usually are. I do not like software that requires hours of inputting data to make it work, and nearly everything I had seen on the market took more setup than I was willing to take the time for. I really didn’t expect Scholaric to be any different, but it was!

It is web-based so I use it on my iPad. (this is part of what has endeared it to me - I don’t have to be tied to my laptop/desktop!) I type in assignments, but my big kids can also add in their assignments since I don’t always keep track of where they are. I have never been more impressed by a lesson plan software in all 10 years of my homeschooling! And yes, we use it every single day multiple times a day.

—- #2 —-

GOOGLE IMAGES – I use the images from Google searches primarily for history and science. For example, yesterday I was teaching the older kids about the Babylonian captivity of the Jews. I Googled things like “hanging gardens”, “synagogue” and “hamanatshen”. But, then I clicked on IMAGES instead of trying to search through EVERYTHING.

Again, I am using my iPad so the kids can easily pass it around and look at the pictures while I read (please be aware that not all search images are appropriate, but usually the first several rows are perfect!). Having a visual to go along with what we are learning about is priceless!

—- #3 —-

AMAZON – I already told you about my freebie finds for next school year on Amazon, but then one of my readers told me about all the amazing Henty and Ballantyne books for free and I added even more to my Kindle app! And in the process, I found the McGuffy readers there too! A huge thank you to Reformation Acres for feeding my obsession for free books!

I also search Amazon first when looking for must-have books for the school year; however, you will see in a moment, this is NOT where I start my search…

—- #4 —-

PaperBackSwap – I told you in my post on creating my own history curriculum exactly how I use PaperBackSwap. I just listed a long list of books we no longer need and am greatly anticipating sending those off and adding more to my list of needs for next school year!

The reason this site is near the top of my list is because the books come trickling in all year long, so don’t think just because when you initially post your wants and don’t get everything you want that you won’t see it pop up later in the year. The things I can’t wait on, I buy from Amazon, but if I can wait, I’d rather try to get it via PaperBackSwap.

—- #5 —-

ChristianCinema.com – This is something brand new to our family, but it has already created some big excitement around here!

When we dropped our Netflix membership, we talked about getting an Amazon Prime membership so we could watch videos or subscribing to Hulu, but neither one of those options were distinctly Christian and the selection was a little iffy. After our decision to be more purposeful with our movie watching, we decided to search for something more in line with what we were trying to accomplish. I ran across Christian Cinema via an internet search engine and decided this was more what we were looking for. They even have a “homeschooling” category!

—- #6 —-

HOMESCHOOL SHARE – I’ve told you before how this is the first place I look for supplemental material during our homeschool year. This site has an amazing selection of free stuff! And in case you are interested in getting a ChristianCinema membership and then lapbooking what you learn, here’s the link to their Movie Lapbook!

—- #7 —-

THE HOMESCHOOL CHANNEL – I don’t utilize this site as often as I should, but it really is a great resource for the homeschooling family! But beware, you WILL get lost looking for items of interest there! It is endless!

—- #8 —-

CurrClick – I have had a CurrClick membership for years and used it periodically to get freebies, but this past April at 2:1 in Washington, D.C., I actually met Leah from CurrClick and came to the realization of just how extensive and awesome the site is!

For instance, did you know there are online classes your child can take via CurrClick on everything from Biology to Math to Government to Essay Writing and all for very reasonable prices considering the last time I looked at an online class through a homeschool company, it was $250!

Leah also told me about their FREE Clubs. There are Lego Clubs and Chess Clubs (yes, they actually get to play chess in a safe online environment!) and many, many more! There are even parent’s groups where you can talk about specific homeschooling issues and get the help you need from parents who have been there.

The actual products available through CurrClick are all digital, so if you are looking for less clutter in your homeschool, please check out CurrClick!

—- #9 —-

HOMESCHOOL SANITY – This was an off-shoot of Sherry’s original site Large Family Mothering and it used to be called McGuffey’s World (you’ll see it’s still under that in the URL). I started reading it because I have this strange fascination with McGuffey Readers. Probably the same reason one-room schoolhouses fascinate me. Sherry gives very practical educational application, and because she runs a large family household, I know what she offers will be doable for my homeschool.

—- #10 —-

MOM’s MUSTARD SEEDS FREEDOM FRIDAY – This is a series I have had bookmarked since it started! I want to go through the entire thing with my older kids. It is 12 weeks of Government classes from Lynn at Founder’s Academy and it is entirely FREE! The classes are presented via video, there is a reading list and worksheets and quizzes – absolutely AMAZING opportunity!

So, what would your top 10 be? You might even want to write a post about it and link it up to Top Ten Tuesday!

May 15, 2012

Free Books I Found While Planning for Next School Year!

This is not my typical kind of post, but if you could have seen me the other night hooping and hollering every time I snagged a freebie from next year’s book list, you would get why I just had to share with all of you!

In my post on affording the large family homeschool, I talked about using free stuff to homeschool. One of the free things I mentioned was public domain works. Now that I have an iPad these are a little more enticing to me. I never wanted to use these before because I didn’t want to lug my 17″ laptop all over the house with me. But having a much smaller and more portable device and the ability to use the Kindle app (works for PC too!) to store the books on Kindle until I am ready for them gave me the idea that I ought to search through my list of books for next year and see what I could find that was public domain.

By the way, we have decided to use Tapestry of Grace Year 2 for next school year, so the book list I was searching was from there and primarily for my junior high and high school aged children. And yes, I promise to write a post about our choice to go back to Tapestry of Grace after all these years.

Please remember these books must be previewed by you, the parent. Also be aware that you do not see HOW I use these materials in our homeschool. I may be skipping sections, giving an overview of the work, or reading the entire book aloud.

So, here’s what I found!

I went with this version of Arabian Nights because one review called it the “sanitized children’s version”.

For those of you unfamiliar with the real “unsanitized” version of Canterbury Tales, this is not a book you read straight through.

Beowulf is not an easy read and I didn’t read it until I was in college, so I plan to skim sections with my children. There is a children’s version available, but not for free.

Not a light read I am sure!

This book, set in the middle ages, is one that I am very excited to be putting in the hands of my oldest son!

Frankly, I’m looking forward to reading this! I’ve heard it is a good read.

If you buy this in the complete version it is $.99, but if you get the two volumes separate, it is free. Go figure.

My oldest son will be earning a Government credit next year. This is part of that credit.

We own a hardcover version of this book as well (picked up from a used book sale!), but I wanted the opportunity for two children to read the book at the same time without needing to share the book.

In order to get Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, I had to get this selection rather than just the sermon itself which costs $.99.

The reviews on this particular book won me over as this being the sort of thing I was looking for.

Again, we own this in hard copy, but I wanted to give both my older children the chance to read this at the same time and not have to share a book.

As for the other books on my list, I am saving up Amazon gift cards from being an affiliate and as Swagbucks prizes. I’m starting to list what I need on PaperBackSwap as well with the hopes I can find some there for cheap too. I also plan to utilize my library as much as possible!

May 8, 2012

Pussyfooting Around

cat

As part of my husband’s job, I sometimes take the wives of the potential executives out and show them around the the town and help them to get comfortable with the surroundings. Introvert that I am, this is NOT a comfortable thing for me, but I do it because it is helpful to my wonderful husband.

One thing that is really difficult for me is knowing enough about the schools in the area. I have a generalized knowledge of the schools, but we have never moved to a new city and looked for a house in the “right” school district because we have never had our children in public school.

In certain crowds, the fact that we homeschool can be a huge obstacle for people. I find myself in repeat conversations with other moms over things like socialization and academics the moment I divulge the fact that we homeschool. Even my children have found themselves in conversations with adults over the lack of socialization for homeschoolers. {Yeah, think about that one for a second or two…my children talking to an adult about socialization…hmmmm….}

But, I cannot pussyfoot around the issue.

God called me to homeschool my children and I can do nothing else. My children are neither ill-socialized nor academically backward. But truth be told, those things are not my goals. I don’t fill pails, I light fires!

Yes, we live a life far outside the norm, but as Kevin Swanson says,

The Bible has no law against being weird.

How do you handle the socialization discussion? Are you shining a light for Christ in your interactions with people who are defensive about your choice to homeschool? Are you okay with being weird?

May 3, 2012

The Wonderment Curriculum

wonderment

Children see the world through a fresh lens. It’s almost as if they have a better understanding of creation than we adults who are racing and organizing and pushing. They have the time to see the vibrant colors of a butterfly, the fluffiness of a cloud, the funny gait of a “watopillar” (otherwise known as a caterpillar…otherwise known as a roly-poly). They wonder at the world around them almost as naturally as they breathe.

Having children has taught me something beautiful. It has taught me a sense of wonderment.

As homeschool moms we need to harness this wonderment. We need to take the natural curiosity and joy of learning our little ones possess and choose curriculum and ways of infusing information that correspond with this.

boys sitting

You will find I am not a big advocate of preschool “curriculum” because I don’t think preschoolers NEED curriculum. They need mama and daddy. They need books read to them and smiles and hugs. But, it seems moms and dads who are new to homeschooling are eager to add their preschooler to a rigorous school day (I know I was!).

So, I beseech you to consider The Wonderment Curriculum.

baby looking at flowers

No, this isn’t any particular curriculum, it’s a general frame of mind, if you will. It’s the homeschooling frame of mind that says

Young children need only the opportunity to explore and learn from what they discover with mom and dad at their sides to guide their learning.

It is Delight-Directed for little ones!

So, if you must “do school” with your preschoolers, here are my top picks for building a Wonderment Curriculum for days full of delightful learning!

Free Ideas:

Your local library – choose a topic and grab up as many children’s books as you can! Take books you already own and supplement with library books, cookbooks, and online videos and information!
Out of doors – There is so much to explore outside no matter where you live. Take regular nature walks and keep a journal of what you find!
Less electronics – Less entertainment-driven media (which almost always creates an environment where the child is told what to think) will easily and cheaply foster creativity.

Toys that encourage creativity:

Playsilks – Oh, the possibilities!
Dress Up Clothes – This doesn’t have to be fancy and definitely doesn’t need to be store-bought!
Critter Catcher or other safe way of catching and observing bugs.
Kitchen sets – this can be anything from stuff you pick up at a thrift store to the nice play kitchens you see in stores. There is just something about kids and the opportunity to concoct with dirt and water!

Actual Curriculum:

Five in a Row Series – literature-based in an easy style.
Unit Studies – A quick Google search of “Free Unit Studies” will net you huge results!

Books for mom and dad that facilitate Wonderment:

And don’t forget to infuse your little ones with the Bible! Everything you do and say and teach should be out of the overflow of a heart that loves the Lord! He is the Creator of these little ones and their sense of curiosity. Lead them to Him!

{photos by thegodlyphotographer.blogspot.com}

April 27, 2012

The Rewards of Homeschooling Any Family Size

Welcome back to 10 Days of Large Family Homeschooling!
Start at the beginning of the series.

One day, as we were transferring files from one computer to another, I found this old webcam photo of me and my two oldest children. Meg was 2 and Blake was 5 and they were our only children at the time. I had started homeschooling that year. I was nervous and excited and totally ignorant of what this journey would look like.

Believe it or not, we didn’t start out as a large family. Very few people do. Most of us gradually find our way there over time. We adjust and revamp as needed and we never forget what it was like when there were only one or two children.

Frankly, homeschooling a houseful isn’t much different from homeschooling a couple of children. There’s always chaos to avoid, we’re always concerned about finances, we are always looking for ways to organize and track our homeschool, and we always have to feed someone. I’m just a small family…only magnified!

Homeschooling is a blessing.

Getting to spend 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with my children is something I would not trade for the world. I heard their first words read, I saw their eyes light up when subtraction finally made sense, I was who they ran to with a carefully scrawled signature.

We share a bond many parents today do not have with their children. We are able to stay up late talking, go on vacations in the off-season, and spend last moments with dying grandparents.

We love, laugh and live TOGETHER.

But I will caution you…

Homeschooling is not enough.

Enjoy the journey.

No matter your family size, homeschooling will not be enough in and of itself to bring about the blessing of a close-knit family. You have to live Deuteronomy 6 and Titus 2 every day. Don’t live in a house full of strangers. Don’t let the world come before the family. Cultivate the plants about your table, so that one day they will spread far and wide. Infuse them with God’s Word and watch them grow!

And please, please enjoy them. Enjoy the time you spend with them. Smile at them. Laugh with them. Be interested in them. Homeschooling shouldn’t be a drudgery. It should be sweet, sweet fellowship!

I pray the last 10 days we have spent together have been ones that have challenged you and blessed you. They certainly have done so for me.

To God be the glory!

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The 10 Days Series is organized by iHomeschool Network, a collaboration of outstanding homeschool bloggers who connect with each other and with family-friendly companies in mutually beneficial projects. Visit us on Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter. Click the image below to visit all the 10 Days posts!

April 25, 2012

Feeding the Crew

Keian and cantelope Welcome back to 10 Days of Large Family Homeschooling
Start at the Beginning of the Series

One thing I have found to be challenging as a large family homeschool mom is feeding 3 meals a day plus snacks day in and day out to a rather large and diverse group of people. At any given time, I have teenagers, toddlers, and babies – all with different palates and needs.

Many of you already know breakfast is not my forte. I like to eat it, I hate to cook it. I’ve never been real awake in the mornings. I can remember as a youngster never feeling as if I had fully awakened until about 10:30 am. I always wondered why teachers thought math needed to be taught first thing in the morning when I was so very tired. I am most on top of my game starting late morning and again at about 4:00 pm. I try to have things on hand that can easily become breakfast, but rare is the occasion that I actually cook a hot breakfast.

*GASP* Now, you know my secret!

So, now that you know, here’s a list of breakfast ideas – Roberts family style!

cereal
fruit
toast with peanut butter
hard boiled eggs
muffins
breakfast cookies
yogurt
baked oatmeal
pancakes with real maple syrup
fried eggs

Next is lunch. By this point, we have been going strong with school and I almost hate to stop for nourishment! Lunch happens here between 12 and 1 pm – or whenever there is a natural lull in our school day. Occasionally, Daddy joins us, but most often, it is me and the 6 children. We typically have a light lunch rather than something heavy for two reasons:

Our big meal is at night.
It is better and simpler to make something that takes less preparation when in the middle of a school day.

Here are some of our favorite lunch ideas:

pizza or lunch loaf using homemade quick and easy pizza dough
bagel sandwiches
quesadillas
taco salad
cheese slices, crackers, & fruit
sandwiches
nachos
egg salad

After we’ve cleaned up from lunch, we head back into our school day. If I were pregnant, this would be Rest Time, but as it stands right now, only the 18 month old is taking a nap right after lunch.

Our school day is usually finished around 2:30, but this is not a good time to go outside since our road becomes quite busy at that time of day due to the high school down the road. So, at about 3:00 pm we have a snack and then head outside.

Snack ideas:

cheese & crackers
fruit
foldover peanut butter sandwich
veggie sticks
smoothies
cookies – yes, cookies

After we have played outside for a while, I head inside (usually with a helper) to prepare for supper/dinner.

Mommy cooking with Garin in Mei Tai

We eat supper between 6 and 7 pm due to Daddy’s schedule. This is typically our biggest meal of the day since Daddy is home. This is also the meal I am most creative with. I like to go through cookbooks and my index box full of recipes I’ve been collecting for over half my life and pull interesting recipes I would like to try or family favorites.

Some recent meals have been:

Now, we all know you can’t feed your crew without either buying or growing your own food (or a mix of both), so here are a few of my favorite shopping posts:

Once a Month Shopping Series (how we shop once a month and save!)

One Store Shopping Method

The Subscriber Pack contains a One Store Shopping Planner and the Bulk Grocery List from our OAMS trips! To get yours, subscribe to Raising Arrows here:

Other Resources: