Summer School II

I thought it would be fun to do a nature journal with some structure this summer, one which asks questions to help with observations.  I'm very happy to have found the Bird Log.  It comes with 30 log pages,  space for drawing,  and pages in the back where we can add photos or more colored pictures.

Emily is a great animal lover. She has been this way since she was a toddler, bringing bugs and frogs inside for me to admire, taking care of our pets...  she has been enjoying her Bird Log and going out to find and watch birds in the mornings.  I think it will make a nice keepsake for her.

Adventure Publications also sells a Nature Log, which I'm thinking of getting for next summer.

Classical Conversations - Resources

One summer, a few years ago, a friend introduced me to the team who leads the Classical Conversations (CC) groups in our area.  It was a planning meeting, and I was invited with the thought of perhaps teaching high school science and math for them.  Although that plan never materialized because of the time commitment it would have required, I had the chance to learn a few things about the program.  We have not joined a Classical Conversations group, though the possibility exists that we may some day.  Cost and time commitment have been the main reasons why it hasn't worked out for us yet.

This last year, I decided to try one of Classical Conversations' calligraphy workbooks:  Prescripts Passages & Illuminations: American Documents.  I have been very happy with it.  For next year, I am planning on putting an emphasis on geography in our social studies curriculum and have decided to use one of CC's resources from their Trivium Tables - Geography.  This video explains what it is and how to use it.  I like that it is laminated and the maps can be traced with dry-erase markers.  Such a simple concept and so useful.

Two other great resources I'll be using next year for grammar and writing:

Trivium Tables: Grammar

Trivium Tables: Quid et Quo

Curriculum for 2014-2015

This coming year, I think may be my easiest yet.  I will have Emily in 5th grade, and Michelle will be in 7th.  Michael is a senior this year and fully independent at this point.  He will be dual enrolling in three classes each semester at USF, taking bible classes with Ligonier Connect, and a persuasive writing/speaking dvd class from IEW.  The biggest change will be that Don will be handling the teaching and grading of Michelle's work this year.  I will still be responsible for her curriculum, lesson plans, and record keeping, so I guess we'll be co-teaching.  He seems to handle the difficulties I've been having with her all these years much better than I do, so hopefully this plan will work out well.  She does most of her work independently now anyway, so teaching her involves accountability, direction, and answering questions.  I am looking forward to spending more of my time focused on Emily's education, as she really needs my undivided attention now.

I have the following curriculum lined up for next year:

Emily (5th Grade)

Bible:  Studying God's Word G (Gospels), Memory Work Notebook (Catechism, Scripture memory)
Math: Abeka 5
English: Easy Grammar 5, Building Spelling Skills 5, Wordlywise 5, IEW Student Writing Intensive & Fables, Myths, and Fairy Tales, Fix it!
Literature/Reading: Veritas Press Literature Guides for 5th Grade - Mary Poppins, Anne of Green Gables...
Social Studies: Around the World in 180 Days, Maps, Globes, Graphs F, BJU Heritage Studies, Where in the World?
Science: Apologia Flying Creatures of the Fifth Day, My Nature Journal

Michelle (7th Grade)

Bible:  Studying God's Word G (Gospels), Memory Work Notebook (Catechism, Scripture memory)
Math: Saxon 76
English: Building Spelling Skills 7, Fix it!, IEW Medieval History
Literature: BJU Literature
Social Studies: BJU World Studies
Science: BJU Life Science

Ligonier Conference

I took Michael to the Ligonier Conference last week.  It was a blessing to both of us.  The theme was the idea of "No Compromise."  It fit well with many of our choices and their repercusions.  We are not to expect to be liked for not compromising.  In not compromising, many have lost their lives through martyrdom.  We were reminded of the saints that came before us and suffered for standing up for what is right and true.  One of the first lectures was taught by Dr. Steve Lawson,  he talked about the idea of what is true and where our source of truth is.  I am looking forward to listening to that talk again, Feet Firmly Planted in Midair.  Here is the introduction:

Most students entering college today believe that truth is relative, that what is true for you may not be true for me. In this message, Dr. Steven Lawson will look at the influence relativism has had on our culture and explore the consequences. He will explain the absurd and self-defeating nature of relativism and remind us of God’s call to stand for the unchanging absolute truth of His Word.

I realized while I was there that this yearly conference is more relevant and important to us that the homeschool conference in Orlando that we've gone to many times before.  This was my second time at the Ligonier Conference, the first was ten years ago.  Much has changed.  The location was different and better - the First Baptist Church in Orlando is a larger facility, they had a great hall for the bookstore with many more books, videos, etc.; and Ligonier Ministries has grown and is offering several new resources. 

One resource we signed up for was Ligonier Connect.  We will be using this for our bible high school curriculum now.  Here is an intro:

Motivational Tools

Some of the new ideas I've found and will be using this coming year with the girls (3rd and 5th grades):
Reading Notebooks: From Scholastic's teacher board - free downloadable filler sheet.  Scholastic has a bunch of resources for teachers that are useful for homeschoolers as well.  I liked their Writing Center idea as well. Some of these things may not teach much in themselves, but I'm sure they will help keep the girls motivated, and motivation is an essential ingredient for learning.
State Research Report: A free worksheet to fill in about each state.  I like this site - Teachers Pay Teachers.  There are thousands of files for free on every subject.