Our school materials 2011-2012

I plan to start our school year on September 4th. I have done a lot of thinking and revamping over the summer. In some areas, I was being too gentle, meaning not pushing hard enough. We have worked very hard all summer to try to get everyone up to par in math and reading. So […]

Breaking down a unit study

I love unit studies. I don’t care for textbooks, primarily because I like the freedom to teach in the moment, using their interests, following rabbit trails, and moving on when needed. However, I do like the convenience of our language arts books, for example. I open the book to Lesson 27, and we read and […]

Stereotypes

I was recently accused of being stereotypical.  I accept that “insult.” In our house, Daddy does certain jobs, and Mommy does certain jobs.  Daddy defends the home, protects us, guides us, earns the paycheck to support us.  Mommy does the majority of the cooking, cleans the house, and teaches the kids.  We do the jobs […]

Homeschooling tip: online resource organizing

If someone asked me what curriculum I use to homeschool my kids, I might be tempted to answer “PDF.”  I admit, I use alot of resources I find online.  I have dialup, so that rules out video, but it still leaves a whole lot of PDF.  So how do I keep track of all these […]

Torah School copywork

Just a quick note to let you know some more Torah copywork is available for you.  It will also have a link in the proper Torah portion over at Torah School.  If there is something else in the copywork lessons that you would find helpful, please let me know.  I’ll see what I can do.  […]

Torah School copywork

For those of you who use copywork as part of your schoolwork, I have put together a download to go with the Torah portion.  There are three levels, K-3, 4-8, and 9-12.  K-3 has some simple verses to copy from the portion, with lines right on the paper to make it simple for them.  The […]

Beginning Readers

Okay, I’ve been at it again.  This writing thing is contagious, or just plain addictive.  Holly and Isaac are currently practicing their short vowel sounds, and I made this book to give them further practice.  I hope your children will enjoy it, too. This book gives practice with the (at) family. Download “A cat on […]

Real life Math

I just finished reading the math section in The Three R’s by Ruth Beechick.  It contained a very helpful reminder that young children learn with their hands.  They need to count the spoons, sort the blocks, etc.  Numbers on a page don’t mean anything to them yet.  This is where real life math comes in.  […]

Little fiber artist

“She worketh willingly with her hands.” Holly used her “Chanukah” money from Gramma to buy a wooden peg loom.  I am so thrilled to see her take to it like she has.  She comes from a long line of women who worked willingly with their hands.  My grandmother made embroidered tablecloths.  My aunt spun wool […]

The Outdoor Hour – Challenge #2

This week’s challenge was to focus on what we could hear, see, and feel.  Thanks to Daddy coming along and acting as photographer, we have a few extra photos this week.  🙂 Overall, it was very quiet during our nature hike, but we definitely could hear lots of snapping branches.  There is lots of deadwood […]