"Home" School Shopping Time!

With July almost over, and the new school year just beginning for most, you may be scrambling to finalize you Curriculum Choices and figure out what other tools you may need to buy. If your anything like me, you also tend to want to over buy.
 So, what I have learned to do, is to first figure out what I know I can comfortably afford to spend. Then I look over the items I am wanting and decide which ones are a must and which ones I can manage with out.
For example, if I am running low on funds, then buying a Spelling Curriculum would be considered something I can manage without, Since I can use free resources like Spelling City. Of course, there will always be things you know you must have. This coming year we are really going to focus on Science, so Science tools are at the top of our shopping list this year.


Now, when it come to paper, glue, etc. I always take an inventory of what I still have. Then I figure out approx. what I will need for the next year, and I ALWAYS wait for our local States
 Tax free Shopping Days. Not only do you save money on the tax, but usually most stores have great discounts.
I hope these tips help with your annual Homeschooling preparation's ;)

Until Next time...

Lions and Tigers and Bears, O' My!

They are a BIG part of the world we live in. Not only are they important for the cycle of life and for nourishing our bodies, but they are interesting to learn about, captivating to observe, and some are friend to man, woman and/or child.








So, during this week's lesson's, we are going to start are Animal Unit Study off with animal lessons, animal games, animal crafts, etc.

My kids are already Super Excited about this week's lesson's because at the end, we are planning to finish it by taking a Day trip, to our Local Zoo ;)

Until Next Time...

Pony Rides & Fireworks!

Today, we enjoyed some early 4th of July Celebrations. Since the 4th falls on a Thursday this year, the town we were in,  chose to celebrate early. My kids had a blast watching the Fireworks & my son got to ride his 1st horse today. He loved it!
Is it weird he rode an Elephant before a Horse? ;)












During this upcoming Homeschooling week, I plan on doing plenty of Independence Day Learning Fun! Thankfully their are tons of games out there for older kids not just preschool games, etc. I have hangman for kids, State Games, etc. Of course we will be learning the History of Independence Day.

Until Next Time....   Have a Safe & Fun 4th of July!

Reading Rewards

What a rewarding feeling it is, when you see your efforts in Homeschooling.
My daughter really loves to read! She goes through several books every month. All I can say is Thank you to the Public Library's! With out them, I would go broke trying to keep up with my little book worm ;) Of course Reading isn't the only thing she has improved on.




 
 
 
We all know teaching writing skills is a process and can take time for some. I will admit my oldest wasn't what you might call an early learner, but she sure has made up for lost time :)
                                          
                

On other news,  I am a new Auntie!!! A few days ago, my new Nephew came into this world, all 6lbs 8 oz. of him. There is nothing more Amazing then witnessing the birth of a new person.

Until Next time....

Math

         



Yes! Math can make the calmest, most sophisticated person's hair stand on end. Well, that is unless you are one of those lucky, lucky people who are blessed with the ability to learn and understand Math easily. However, for those of us who are not, Math anxiety is very common feeling to have.

My children always wonder why I make them practice their Math. Not just new things we are learning, but things we have already gone over as well. I know from personal experience, that if you don't use it, you can lose it! So, it is always good to keep up your Math skills. If you forget how to add. for instants, how can you learn to Subtract? If you forget how to do your Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication, etc. how will you move on and learn Algebra?  Ect. Ect. Ect. !

Whether you have just begun your " Homeschooling" Math Journey, have are already started an online Algebra program, or beyond. Math is important! ~> Love it or Hate it, it's not going any where. Math is a part of our daily lives and part of our education. The good news is of course, depending on your or your children's future career goals, it doesn't take too terribly long to learn what is needed. So, if you are like me, and have a harder time learning Math(or have children like me), just remember it will be over one day. Patience is a Virtue ;)

Until Next time...

What is a Homeschooler?

For those persons are uneducated about Homeschooling, they may have a stereotype of who they may think a Homeschooler is. Some of the pre-conceived notion's may be anywhere from thinking that everyone wears long dresses with their hair in a bun, or that they are doing so because of their Faith. That all homeschooler's use Christian based Curriculums, ect. With so many Secular Curriculum's available, we know that is not true. I think the one that amuses me the most is the idea that all homeschoolers are not socialized. Truth be told, I think the majority of Homeschooler's are even more socialized than children who attend a public school.

No matter what you have heard or what people may be saying, Homeschooler's are all different and all have their own reasons for choosing this path. Yes, there are some who wear long dresses and do so because of their Faith. There are also those that  choose only to use Christian Curriculums, but there are also those who use Secular Curriculum or No Curriculum. There are families that homeschool because they want a more one on one approach for their child. Or maybe because they love to travel(Roadschooling ), or because of a job that requires travel. Military Homeschoolers for example.

The point is, that we all have our reasons, but what we have in common in that we choose this path because we feel it is what is best for our children. So, for those of you who are thinking about Homeschooling, but are unsure because of the "rumors". Educate yourself! Talk to other people who homeschool ( Tons of groups, Blogs, and forums out there). Don't worry about what other's may think or living up to a stereotype. One of the perks of Homeschooling is the Freedom to do things your way ;)


Until Next Time... 


 

I'm a Winner!

Wow! What an Amazing Day I had Yesterday!  While shopping at a Fabric Store, I entered into a chance  to win a Janome 3160QDC Sewing Machine, that was offered at their store.
Long Story Short ~>  I WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

What an Amazing feeling to win; especially something so nice. I have always enjoyed creating my own things and now I will be able to make them even better with such a machine :)







Other News, after I won that Amazing Sewing Machine, my husband and I decided to celebrate and take the kids to a movie. We watched "EPIC". It is a Great family movie, a must see!

On the Homeschooling front ~> This past week has been pretty laid back. Even though we school year-round, I do like to ease up throughout the Summer. My oldest brushed up on Grammar and my youngest enjoyed watching me show him how to make flashcards. Of course I think he liked making them more than using them lol ;)






                                                                     Until Next Time...