Our 2011-2012 Curriculum

I linked up to Heart of the Matter online to post our curriculum choices for this year. This is actually our third year to begin school in July. We began on July 5. It's too hot for the kids to play outside with 100 degree temps.

This is our 6th year of homeschooling. We have a 4th, 2nd, K and Pre-K.

We use My Father's World multi-age cycle. This year we are using Rome to the Reformation.

4th & 2nd together-
Bible/History- Victor Journey Through the Bible, Streams of Civilization: Volume 1, Trial and Triumph
-Readings from Luke, 1 John, Philippians and other books of the Bible, and memory verses from the New Testament
-How the Bible Came to Us
-Ancient World, Augustus Caesar's World, The Roman Empire, and Medieval World
-Map Work, History Notebook, timeline, and hands on projects
-Library books- used for enrichment (when we can find them). We don't have a very good library.

Science
-First Encycylopedia of the Human Body
- The Human Body for Every Kid
- The Body Book
- Exploring Creation with Astronomy
- Weekly nature walks and nature journals

Foreign Language
English from the Roots Up- Latin roots

Spanish- basic course for my younger three using printables off the web

Reading- I use the book lists from Sonlight and Ambleside online as a guide to what books my 4th and 2nd grader read.

Read-alouds-
(currently) The Bronze Bow,
The Burgess Animal Book for Children(all)


4th Grade:

Rod & Staff Grammar 4
Spelling Power
Singapore Math 4A-4B
Mavis Beacon typing
Writing Strands Level 3 (We will be trying this again this year. We only used it a few weeks last year. It didn't work well so I decided to wait a year.)
Reading- currently Heidi and Stuart Little


2nd Grade:

Abeka Spelling 2nd
Primary Language Lessons (and some Abeka 2 Language since I have a workbook)
Singapore Math 2A-2B
Handwriting- some Abeka plus copy work and dictation from Bible and reading
Reading-currently Charlotte's Web


K-
Handwriting- Veritas Press Kindergarten Workbook
Abeka Phonics K and 1
Math- various manipulatives and printouts for copying numbers
Abeka readers 1
various books for reading and read-alouds
various arts and crafts

Pre-K:

Playdough, coloring books, printouts from 1+1+1+1, waterpaints, pattern blocks, cutting and pasting, magnetic letters, read alouds, etc.

Nature Walk Pictures

Name Banner for Child's Room

My 9 year old daughter and I rearranged her room yesterday and I was noticing how blah the wall above her bed was looking. It just needed something to brighten it up a bit.

I'd seen these banners in pictures before and figured they were fairly simple, but had never really taken the time to figure it out.

Let me tell you how simple it was.

I made a triangle pattern out of freezer paper. I just cut out a shape- no measuring or anything. You can't get much easier than that. I guess if you're a perfectionist on measurements and all you could use a ruler, but I didn't.

The reason I like to use freezer paper is because you lay the shiny paper side down on the fabric and iron(on a low setting) and the pattern piece (freezer paper) adheres to the fabric. That makes it so easy to cut out- no pins! Then you simply peel off the freezer paper and you have a triangle shape. I made seven of these using 4 different colors.

***Just a note*** I used pinking sheers to cut out my triangles so I wouldn't have to sew them. Plus, I like the way it looks!

After cutting out your triangles, lay them out on the floor or table. Then, use the binding tape or ribbon to pin the triangles to form your pattern. I held it up on the wall after pinning just to check and see how it would look.
Sew each triangle to the binding tape. I used a zig-zag stictch.

Tie the ends in a bow or knot and hang on the wall.

I had some chipboard letters in my stash and thought they'd be extra cute on it. You could make the banner without the letters if you didn't have them. They just add to it a little bit.

I wasn't sure how to attach them, but I remembered that I had some spray adhesive. It worked great! I just sprayed the back of each letter and stuck it on. After it dried, I hung it up. Kayla loved it! I got an extra hug for it, too. I'll always take those :)

Krayon Keeper- Great Gift Idea!

A few years ago I found this website http://www.girlythingsbows.com/
while researching how to make bows. They have lots of super cute "free" tutorials on making bows, hair accessories, bow holders, clips, and of course, Krayon Keepers.

These can also be called crayon rolls. They roll up and you just use a button and ribbon for the closure or you can use two ribbons and tie it together.

When I give this as a gift I like to put new crayons in it. I guess you wouldn't have to even put any in it, but new crayons are so much fun.


And now is a great time to stock up on crayons. They usually run them very cheap in the "Back to School" sales. I usually stock up and buy enough to last me until next year's sales.

These are such cute little gifts paired with a coloring book. My children love to give them to friends on their birthdays. I have made some for boys, too. I just forgot to take a picture :(

Also, if you have an older child that you think wouldn't want one there are ideas around the internet to make art rolls- changing the size to accommodate colored pencils. I've been wanting to try it, but haven't taken the time. Maybe that will be my next project.

Sand Art

We've been doing a little extra arts/crafts this summer. My mom found these little Sand Art kits at a discount store and thought we'd enjoy it.

The recommended age was 6+, but I let all my children participate. My five year old needed a little extra help, but my 7 and 9 year old could do it on their own after reading the directions. My little 3 1/2 year old was too little, but she had a lot of help from me and her oldest sister.

If you will notice we did this activity outside. It was a very smart idea if I do say so myself. Sand + inside of my house = not a good thing.

It turned out to be a fun activity. They really enjoyed it and I treated them to a popsicle afterwards since it was about 100 degrees that day!

"The Heavens Declare the Glory of God"

"The heavens declare the glory of God;

And the firmament sheweth his handywork." Psalm 19:1

Shield Birthday Cake for Knight Party

I'm linking up with Jessica over at http://lifeasmom.com/
to post about cakes to make for birthday parties.

I enjoy making my children's birthday cakes. It's also frugal and is very exciting for them.

I made this birthday cake for my son a few years ago for his knight themed birthday party. It was pretty easy to make and he thought it was great!

I always use a cake mix, but I usually make my own buttercreme icing. Go check out all the cakes http://lifeasmom.com/