All About Spelling

Last year, I started looking for something new to use for Spelling. I was tired of using programs that had kids memorizing random lists of words. I wanted a program that would teach kids HOW to spell, teach them the spelling rules, would work for hands on learners, and didn't require a lot of teacher preparation. The recommendation I got from several homeschool moms was All About Spelling.To be honest, when I first looked at it I wasn't sure I wanted to spend that much money on a Spelling program. But, when I realized that the program was made up of non consumable items and could be used for all of the children it would actually save me money over time. I decided to order the Level 1 Teacher's Manual and Student Material Packet and the Basic Interactive Kit. After I had an opportunity to organize everything (I will say that it does take a little bit of time to cut out and organize cards and magnets) and read through the Teacher Manual I could see why homeschooling moms are recommending this product so highly!

Some of my favorite features:

• It is multisensory and lessons involve sight, sound, and touch
• Each lesson builds on the one before
• There is constant review
• Mastery based not grade level based
• Scripted lesson plans that are clear and easy to follow

I liked what I saw so much I went back and ordered the Level 1 Readers so I can teach Reading and Spelling at the same time. The readers are hard covered and have beautiful illustrations. They should last for many years and through many children.


When I was asked if I would like to become an affiliate of All About spelling I was very excited! I love being able to share my favorite products with my readers. Interested in see what products All About Spelling has to offer or want to find out more information? Click on the ad below.

Justifying Homeschooling

I often wonder why we as Homeschoolers feel the need to justify our decision to homeschool and our qualifications as an educator. In the beginning I did this a lot. Especially to friends and family when they found out about our decision to homeschool. I answered a lot of questions about why we made the decision, how we were going to do it, what about the "s" word ( socialization), what made me qualified, how will your children graduate?, what about the prom? etc..etc..etc.. I always felt the need to answer these questions and explain myself to everyone who asked (even strangers on the street.) I wanted people to understand why we made our decision and we really weren't that "crazy homeschool family."As a few years passed and I became more confident, I started caring less about what people might think. But, even now I have found that at times I am still defending (or explaining) myself in context to our lives as homeschoolers. Two recent situations came to mind.

The children and I ran into the new pastor of our church in Walmart early in the afternoon on a Thursday. Instead of just saying hi and making quick pleasant conversation, I went into this long explanation about how we had just taken brunch to the ladies at the Assisted Living Facility and decided to do our grocery shopping on our way back home instead of driving back into town the next day. He didn't even ask why we were there, I just felt like I had to explain myself so he wouldn't get a bad impression of us as homeschoolers.

Then , the other day, Alex's Sunday School teacher approached me to ask about his reading. She was not being mean about it, she just wanted to know if she should be encouraging him to read aloud with the other children in class. I found myself explaining to her about Alex's reading difficulties (which I probably should of done already) in a way that was explaining myself as his teacher. I didn't want her to think that the reason Alex can't read well is because I am a bad teacher.

I have come to this conclusion about the need to justify homeschooling: If people ask questions about homeschooling, I will answer them politely. But, I don't need to explain or justify my decision to anybody. I am absolutely convicted that homeschooling is the best decision for my family. God thinks I am qualified to raise/teach the children he has blessed me with, what difference does it make what others may think? I am making the best possible choice I can for my family.

Teach them to your children talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Deuteronomy 11:19

Homeschooling High School: American Literature/Writing

I have confessed in the past that I do not make my children diagram sentences. While I do think that knowing the different parts of speech and how to use them well, I don't feel that spending years diagramming sentences is time well spent. What I do want them to learn to do and be able to do it well, is write. Writing is something you have to do well to succeed in college. Every class that I took had papers that were required (except for Math.) Every day in the "real world" you have to write something whether it is an email to a friend or colleague, a Thank You card, or a Blog Post ;). This year, Chelsea will be in 10th grade and one of the biggest things I want her to focus on is Writing.

I was looking for a Literature Program that had a good amount of writing to go with the reading. I also wanted something that was written for the student so she would be able to work through it herself. I read some recommendations and reviews for Excellence in Literature and decided that was just what we were looking for. We chose to do their American Literature course this year. I am very impressed with how thorough the program is. The goals of the program are to:

• Introduce students to great literature from Western literary tradition.


• Teach students to read with discernment.


• Train independent, self motivated learners.


• Provide tools that students can use to strengthen writing skills.


• Introduce students to online and off line research.


• Prepare students for college classes by expecting carefully researched, well though out material to be presented in standard format.

For each kind of paper the student is expected to write, there is an example of that type of paper. There also is an evaluation rubric in the back of the book to aid in parents evaluating the students writing. There are additional reading/writing assignments included for those interested in earning Honors Credit.

I found this program to be very affordable at only $29 for a one year course. I was able to find all but two of the necessary books for free in ebook format from www.gutenberg.org and loaded them all on our family Pandigital Novel (e reader.) I look forward to Chelsea starting this program in August and will give you more information on how it's going once we start our new school year.

Imagination Station Give-Away Winner!

Kimberly who blogs at Homeschooling in Novia Scotia is the winner of the Imagination Station give away! Thanks to all who entered!

4 H Fun

Yesterday's Cloverbud 4H meeting was on physical fitness. Since it is crazy hot here in Arkansas right now we had the children doing water games outside at the park where there are lots of shade trees (although a breeze would have been nice.) They had lots of fun doing a three legged race, water race, water balloon toss, a relay race that you hit a beach ball through the cones using a pool noodle, and a game that you passes a wet sponge over your head to your team members to squeeze into a bowl and see who could fill it the fastest. To end the meeting we had banana splits made with frozen yogurt instead of regular ice cream (as you can see Lily was really into hers.) It was a great meeting! Sarah, we will truly miss you as our 4H leader, thanks for all you have done!

You Take All of Your Children Shopping?

My kids go pretty much everywhere with me. Really. We run errands together, go grocery shopping, out to eat, go to the doctor, whatever needs to be done we do it all together. Some people think that is crazy, but that's the way we do things. My wonderful husband works 5 days a week from 7-5. Since we homeschool, the kids are home with me all day so when errands need to be run or we have to go to appointments we all get to go. One of the most frequent comments I get when I am out and about with my bigger than average family is something like this, " I can't believe you take all of your kids grocery shopping (or out to eat, to the doctor, movies, etc...) I only have 2 and I don't even bring them with me!" Or, "I could never take my kids with me. They would never behave!"

Different things work for different families, but I always wonder, how can you expect a child to know how to behave in a given situation if they never have the opportunity to learn how to be in that situation? Did that make sense? What I mean is, a child that is not taught to behave by showing them what is expected and having them do it will not know what is expected of them at the grocery store or church or a restaurant. They have to be able to go out and practice the kind of behavior you want them to show. Is is always easy? No way. Does it take a lot of effort? Of course. Is it worth it? Absolutely!

Kids are kids and they are not always going to act the way they are supposed to (shocking I know.) I have definitely had my share of embarrassing moments when one (or more) of my children have done things that have surprised me (not in a good way either.) But, there are a few tricks that have helped me to teach my kids to use their best behavior when we are out of the house.

1. Especially for younger kids, remind them before you go into the grocery store, pharmacy, exactly what you expect from them. Something like, "Ok guys we are getting ready to go into the store. I need you to remember to stay beside mommy, talk with inside voices, keep your hands to yourselves."

2. Reinforce good behavior. I believe in positive reinforcement. My children know if they behave in the store, they will get a treat on the way out. If they don't they won't. It doesn't have to be expensive. What we usually do is buy a snack to share on the way home. For things that take longer like Dr. appointments we will stop at Sonic or McDonald's for their $1 ice cream. It goes without saying that if a treat is for good behavior and they don't behave and still get the treat you are defeating the purpose. Praise them with your words too! Kids love to know when they are doing a good job at something.


3. Plan outings when children (and moms) are not hungry or tired. Not always possible, but it makes a huge difference in how they (and you) will behave.

4. Keeping items on hand in case you have to wait is always a good idea. Small picture books, toys, notebooks, crayons, word searches (for older ones) and non messy snacks can make time pass much faster at a Dr. appointment.

5. Be as organized as possible when going grocery shopping to speed up the process. Have a list made up on the order that you shop and have coupons, price match items ready when you get to the check out.

6. Don't stop to chat. Often we run into people we know at the store. We smile, say hello, and continue shopping. It takes me about an hour to shop and extending that time standing and talking for 20 minutes will be asking for trouble.


7. We never go out to eat during busy times. My children LOVE to eat out. They usually are well behaved because they know if they are not we will not go back. When we have the opportunity to go out, we do not go to a restaurant that is very busy and has long wait times. We go early and avoid the rush.

8. Don't expect more than your child may be capable for their age. A two year old probably is not going to sit through a 3 hour movie.

Sometimes it would be easier and faster if I could leave the children behind. But, that just doesn't work for us. So, don't be surprised when you see 7 children trailing after me in Walmart :).

Cute Summer Pictures!

I was working on a photo project yesterday and thought I would share some of the cute pictures I took of the children.

Emelia 14 weeks

Lily 2 years

Christian 4 years

Anthony almost 6

Alex 7 years

Nick 9 years

Chelsea 14 years

Imagination Station Book Review and Giveaway!

I am always looking for great books to read aloud to the children, or for the older ones to be able to read on their own. I was very excited to have the opportunity to review the two newest books in the Imagination Station series: #3 Peril in the Palace and #4 Revenge of the Red Knight by Marianne Hering and Paul McCusker and from Tyndale House Publishers and Focus on the Family.



The Imagination Station series is written for children about age 7 years and up, but certainly can be enjoyed as a read aloud for younger children. The series features the virtual reality device the Imagination Station invented by Mr. Whittaker, which is also used in the Adventures in Odyssey radio drama series. Although no one really knows exactly how it works, it is able to take people back him time to visit Historical events in person by the push of a button.


In Peril in the Palace (119 page paperback), cousins Patrick and Beth are sent back to China in the year 1271 to find the golden tablet of Kublai Khan. They are kidnapped by Mongol warriors when fellow traveler Marco Polo saves them. While at the Shandu Palace, Kublai Khan dislikes their gifts and their message about Christianity. Magicians challenge the cousins to a spiritual showdown, war breaks up and Beth and Patrick are locked up. They must escape and get themselves and the tablet back to the Imagination Station.




In Revenge of the Red Knight (107 page paperback), the cousins are sent to 1450 England and end up in the middle of the War of the Roses instead of back to Whit's End where they though they were going. The cousins get to meet Albert, but they are accused of trying steal the treasures they have been trying to return. Before the new moon, they must figure out who are friends and who are foes before Lord Darkthorn returns to lock Albert in his terrible tower.



Each of the Imagination Station Books are $4.99. So far, there are 4 books in the series, but there are plans for at least 8 more books to be written. Showdown with the Shepherd and Problems in Plymouth are the next two books and will be released in October.


I used these books as a read aloud for my 4,5,7, and 9 year old boys, although my 9 year old could read them on his own. I love the whole idea of this series! It is an exciting adventure series, but also so much more! The books contain a lot of Historical Content and they are Christian based which is something many adventure type series books for this age group is sadly missing. The chapters are short enough to keep the younger children engaged and eager to read more. Even my 2 year old loves looking at the illustrations. Each book is linked to the others in the series, but you don't necessarily have to read them in order to understand and enjoy them (we have not read books #1 and #2.)



I loved this quote I read from one of the authors, Marianne Herring, "While I am committed to books as a storytelling medium, I think all storytelling should not only entertain but also communicate truth." I highly recommend these books, you and your children will definitely enjoy them!



Now for the Give-Away  (giveaway has been closed thanks to all who entered)



The publishers have generously offered to give away one set of books #3 Peril in the Palace and #4 Revenge of the Red Knight to one of my readers. All you have to do to enter is leave me a comment with a way of getting in touch with you (like email address.) A second entry will be given to those who are new followers or already follow with GFC or Networked Blogs. Just leave a second comment telling me you are now following or are already following. Winners must have a US or Canada mailing address. Give away will close next Sunday 6/19 at 11:00 pm Central Time. Winner will be chosen at random. Good Luck!



I received a complimentary copy of Peril in the Palace and Revenge of the Red Knight from Tyndale House Publishers for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation.

VBS 2011

This week was VBS at our church. Nick, Alex, and Anthony (along with 80 or so other children) spent the week eating great snacks, hearing wonderful stories, playing fun games, making cool crafts, and singing songs (which by the way are forever stuck in my head) while learning 5 important truths about God: God Made You, God lstens to you, God watches over you, God loves you no matter what, and God gives good gifts. Chelsea spent the week as a youth helper helping with music and story time. I volunteered in the nursery this year (big surprise I know) with Christian (who could be in pre-k but wanted to be with me), Lily, Emelia, a 7 month old baby, and a 4 month old who was there part time. I am sad to say I have no pictures since I spent almost all of my time in the nursery.

VBS is a lot of fun every year, and it teaches the children in a way they will remember it for a long time to come. We raised over $700 for a child in the community with cancer. I always think it is so sweet to see the children coming in with little baggies of coins they have brought from home to give to someone in need. VBS is a lot of work though. Getting the children up and ready to go on time, working at VBS, and then getting them home hot, tired, and hungry for 5 days in a row is hard. It makes me so appreciative that I don't have to get them up and out the door everyday. I am happy to volunteer at VBS and that the children get to go, but I am also glad it only lasts a week :).

Quick and Easy Lunches

Many of our summer activities usually go from 9-12, plus we have a 20 min drive home from town. By the time we get here everyone is hot. tired, sweaty, and of course starving. Usually Emelia is ready to be fed also as soon as we walk in the door. In order to help maintain my sanity, I try to plan ahead and have some ideas for quick and easy lunches in addition to traditional cold sandwiches. If I have something ready to throw in the oven when we get home, I can put it in, feed Emelia, and by the time she is done nursing lunch is ready. We also keep plenty of fruit to go along with whatever we are eating. Here are some of my favorite quick and easy lunches:

English Muffin Pizzas (make ahead and leave on a tray in the fridge. Put in a 425 oven and take out when cheese is melted)

Cheese Quesadillas (same idea as pizzas)

Chicken Nuggets

Fish Sticks (hate to put that one down but my kids love it!)

Sandwich Wraps (using tortillas for bread)

Cracker Sandwiches (use lunch meat, cheese, and crackers to "build" your own sandwiches)

Bagels and Cream Cheese or Bagel Sandwiches

Pigs in a Blanket (same idea as pizzas)

Taco Salad

Mac N Cheese

I would love to hear your ideas for quick and easy lunches to add to my list this summer!

Our Summer Schedule

We do not school year round. We take off June and July so we have some time to catch up on a few things that get neglected during the school year. We start back with a light schedule beginning in August and build up to a full schedule by September. August is so hot here anyway the children might as well have something worthwhile to do when it's too hot to go outside. We do have a little school work to do now and then and some things (like reading) we still do everyday. I also take time during the summer to prepare new curriculum and a schedule for next year. Summer also means there are lots of fun and educational opportunities. Here it is barely June, and my calendar is already full of activities from now until the first week of August! Some of the things we will be doing this summer:

VBS- this week
Youth weekend retreat

4 H
District Competitions
Quad County Camp
Soil Sammies Workshop
Dog Days of Summer Workshop (making homemade dog treats to donate)
Little Rock Tour
Sewing Workshop (3 days long)
Chef School (3 days long)
Robots Workshop
Rockets Workshop

Plus Choir practice for Chelsea, whatever 4 H meetings are scheduled for the evenings, and a visit to my mom and dad's for a few days. It is definitely going to be a busy summer!

Audiobooks

I had never thought much about audiobooks before. I can remember when I was a little girl and had one of those books with the cassette tape that beeped when you were supposed to turn the page (It was 101 Dalmations.) My children have had a few experiences with audiobooks; a borrowed one when I needed to run errands and had no DVDs with me and a book we listened to when I couldn't find it in any other format. Then, I bought a series of Johnathan Park on CD to listen to when we travel after we decided to no longer have a TV in the van (trust me it is much easier without it.)

Recently, we have started using audiobooks on a regular basis. Every night when I send the children to bed they are allowed to read or play quietly until they fall asleep. Nick and Chelsea read their books, but Alex who cannot read well simply pretends to read. I started thinking about how to help a child who's comprehension far exceeds his ability to read in addition to me reading to him. I read a suggestion on how to help children who are dyslexic and/or struggling readers by using audiobooks.

Why use audiobooks? Most young children can understand and enjoy books that are above their reading level. Reading such books will also greatly increase their vocabulary. Reading aloud is a great way to share and enjoy books with your children, but there may be times (like at night when others are sleeping) that it is not possible to read aloud. Plus, some children are auditory learners and understand things much better when they hear them.

I went looking for an inexpensive mp3 player and found one at www.walmart.com for $17. Then, I found this great website www.booksshouldbefree.com which has a ton of classic audiobooks that you can download for free in either mp3 format or for your Ipod. So far we have downloaded Peter Pan, The Velveteen Rabbit, Pinocchio, Brare Rabbit, and Robinson Crusoe. Many libraries have audiobooks (ours does not) and those libraries that are online are starting to have ebooks and audiobooks you can check out online and download to your computer. Project Gutenberg which is a fabulous source for free ebooks also has several audiobooks available for download. This website has several different free resources for homeschoolers including favorite audio book websites.

I think the audiobooks are already beginning to make a difference for Alex and he loves his mp3 player. It can be beneficial in other ways too. The other day during quiet time, I found Nick and Alex in Alex's bed each with one ear bud listening to an audiobook (being very quiet by the way.) My mom gave me a mp3 player she wasn't using and I think I am going to pick up one or two more. Quiet time may just become even quieter, and the next time we travel it would be very useful.

Breastfeeding and Antibiotics

I have debated all week whether or not I was going to write a blog post about this. Mainly because I don't like to admit when I am not well (maybe it is the supermom complex) but I decided to go ahead for the purpose of hopefully being able to help or encourage someone in a similar situation.

I had an infection. I tried to deal with it on my own in hopes to avoid having to take medicine. Breastfeeding is a big responsibility. Everything that goes in your mouth goes in your baby's too and I want my babies to be as healthy as they can be. I didn't get any better and started getting worse so I decided to go to the doctor mostly because a sick mommy is no good to anybody. So I went. Our doctor by the way is a general practitioner. He decided yes in fact I needed to go on a strong antibiotic. I told him I was nursing (Emelia was there with me) and he said, "Well you are going to have to stop and put her on formula." Excuse me? What did you just say? I was stunned. Even breastfeeding women need medicine from time to time and I know there are antibiotics that are considered safe. I have been on them twice before for a UTI and Mastitis. So I just looked at him and said, "No. I can't do that." My babies never even drink out of a bottle. I take them everywhere with me until they are weaned. I said, "You need to find me another option." I couldn't believe that was my only choice and couldn't imagine having to stop breastfeeding if even only for a few days. I also couldn't imagine what that would do to Emelia. Breastfeeding is so much more than nutrition. It is a warmth, a comfort, a bonding like no other (I mean no disrespect to those women out there who could not/cannot breastfeed.) So, my doctor made a phone call to a pharmacist who recommended 3 different options for antibiotics. Then, the doctors office called a pharmacist at a Women and Children's Hospital to see which one they preferred. A medication was prescribed for me that would be safe for Emelia too with instructions on how to split up the dosage so that the least amount possible would pass through the breast milk.

As a new nursing mom I would have done what the doctor said, no questions asked simply because I didn't know any better. A few children and years later, I know enough to ask questions. I encourage you when faced with these kinds of situations to educate yourself, ask questions, and look at all of the options available. If there truly was no other way, I would have done what the doctor said in order to protect Emelia. Instead, I got the medicine I needed without having to traumatize my baby or myself (I am much better by the way.) A happy ending for all.

2011 Tos Homeschool Crew Blue Ribbon Awards

The 2010-2011 TOS Homeschool Crew has come to a close. Last week I posted our family's favorites. You can find that post here. Crew members had an opportunity to vote for our favorites in a variety of categories. The winners of these votes would win a Blue Ribbon Award that looks like this:

Here are the winners of this year's Blue Ribbon Awards as taken from the Crew Blog. Congrats to all of the winners!


The following vendors are the recipients of the award this year:

Favorite Language Arts Product = Institute For Excellence in Writing (IEW)

Favorite Social Studies Product =Bright Ideas Press-Wondermaps

Favorite Science Product = Eagle’s Wings-Considering God’s Creation

Favorite Math Product = I See Cards-Pyramath

Favorite Online Math Product = Ten Marks

Favorite Writing Product = Writing Tales

Favorite Reading Instruction Product = Talking Fingers

Favorite Foreign Language Product = Classical Academic Press

Favorite Fine Arts Product (art, music, etc.) = Artistic Pursuits

Favorite Preschool Product = Go Go Kabongo

Favorite Elementary Product = Speekee

Favorite Upper Grade Product = Vocab Ahead

Favorite Special Needs Product = See-N-Read

Favorite Christian Education Product = Apologia

Best Resource I Didn’t Know I Needed = Lanschool Technologies

Best Customer Service = Peterson Directed Handwriting

Best Online Resource = Big IQ Kids

Best e-product = Zeezok Publishing-ZGuide to the Movies

Best Technology Resource = Collectorz

Best Homeschool Resource = Yesterday’s Classics

Best Book, Novel or Magazine = Zoe & Sozo Publishing-Foundlings

Best Children’s Book = Kregel Publications-Circle C Beginnings

Best Hands-On Resource = Corps of Re-Discovery

Most Adaptable Resource = The Write Foundation

Most Unique Resource = GoTrybe

Most Family-Oriented Product = Growing Healthy Homes-Nutrition 101

Kid’s Choice = Schleich Action Figures

All Around Crew Favorite = Institute For Excellence in Writing

Congratulations to our winning vendors! We hope you will sail with us again!

Book Review: Spring for Susannah by Catherine Richmond

I just had an opportunity to read and review the e-book version of Spring For Susannah by Catherine Richmond.

Description:

When Susannah goes to Dakota territory as a mail-order bride she finds something she never dreamed she would—true love.

With no prospects for marriage and her parents recently deceased, Susannah Underhill agrees to go west to the Dakota territory to marry her minister's homesteading brother, Jesse. But Susannah is painfully shy, doesn't see herself as worthy of love from either a husband or from God, and lives in constant fear that Jesse is going to ship her back to Detroit.

In spite of her petite size and the fact that Susannah doesn't look like she could survive on the prairie, Jesse quickly discovers that his new wife is a greater blessing than he even hoped for. The years she spent as her father's veterinary assistant allow her to save Jesse's ox and twin calves and to help neighboring farmers with their animals.

But Susannah's feelings of unworthiness are deeply rooted, and she can't believe that Jesse's praise—or the tenderness and love he shows—could possibly last. The thawing of her heart seems almost as distant as Spring in the midst of the winter blanketing the Dakota prairie.

I love Historical Fiction and thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. It was wonderful to see Susannah's transformation as she learned and grew, came to have trust in her husband and the Lord. She showed a willingness to do whatever was necessary in order to survive and remained loyal to her husband. I found it an interesting irony that Susannah became a mail order bride because she had no prospects but before too long had too many. I loved the friendships that grew and the willingness to help each other out. I loved Jesse's character; honest, trustworthy, hard working, kind,sincere, proud of his wife, and a true love for the Lord. But even Jesse showed that he was an imperfect human being who gave in to fear and had to deal with the consequences of it. But, the Lord uses all things for good for those who love Him and in the end it all turned out okay.

One thing I did want to mention is that I wasn't happy with the way the book ended. I felt like there were too many strings left hanging and several unanswered questions. That would be okay if there were plans for a sequel....which by the way I would love to read.

I received a complimentary e-book copy of Spring for Susannah from Thomas Nelson for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation.

Which One Is Which?

Do you know which one is Lily and which one is Emelia? No cheating if you already saw it on facebook. Everyone says they don't look alike, bu I think they do. They do have their differences but there are a lot of similarities as well. Emelia was baptized on Sunday in our family's hand-made generations old Christening Gown and I took her picture in the same chair that I took Lily's in when she was baptized. I thought it would be fun to compare the two pictures. If I had a scanner, I would scan in Chelsea's picture in the same gown too. Emelia reminds me a lot of Chelsea as a baby. All three of the girls were baptized right around 3 months old. Just like with the boys, I am going to have to label their pictures or I will forget which baby is which.