Voyager News - October Edition

  ~ ~ ~ SET SAIL FOR A LIFETIME OF LEARNING ~ ~ ~

October. A crazy month!

Weaver Vol 5, Ch 12 

Passover.

Days 16 - 20 (finished).

Bible lessons have been in Matthew and then review.

The review was great as this chapter has lasted SO long!

Social Studies continued learning about the war up to 1916.

We discussed weapons of war and how drastically warfare has changed from the Civil War with the new inventions in weaponry and technology. We learned of President Wilsons Peace Plan, and about many innovations and inventions during this time period.

~ READ ALOUDS ~

By the Shores Of Silver Lake Ch. 1 - 4

In His Steps Ch. 14 - 18

The Robe Pgs. 113 - 152

We haven't gotten much of our other sciences done this month, some minor things and review time mostly.

In Art we have worked with the mediums of Pastel Chalk and Black Markers. 

PE has been soccer, running, bike riding and wii fit/sports.

Lit with Bug has been continuing Indian in the Cupboard and we have read Ch 11 and 12 this month.

For Sis, we have only done lesson 51, but she has read a bit more of Jane Eyre and has been working on lots of writing assignments.

Hunny is still not extremely structured but has been reading very well.

Home Ec was lots of baking for a Civil War event, cookies and making Cinnamon Crusties.
We have also been really busy crafting, knitting and sewing, and doing deep cleaning, reorganizing and decorating.

In Calligraphy we have worked on Ch 4 and 5.

We also participated in a Civil War Muster which was three days of Living History, Drama, Nature Study, and PE. 

We had a Homestead Work Day and completely cleaned the shed, packed up summer outdoors things, cleaned the chicken coop, packed both the coop and goat shed with straw, cut down some trees, etc. 

19 School Days this month.
(36 total)

COUNTRY GIRL

Voyager News - September Edition

~ ~ ~ SET SAIL FOR A LIFETIME OF LEARNING ~ ~ ~

Our first month was pretty different. 
We spent our first day just having an overview and then walking to the millpond for a photo shoot.

 Then we also had our homeschool groups kickoff event.

Again, we started school in the middle of a chapter. 

Weaver, Vol. 5, Ch 11
Passover.

Again, we do Weaver three days a week.

This month we have done days 8 - 15.

Our Bible lessons have been from Matthew and we have been discussing the few days right before the crucifixion.

In Social Studies we have been learning about life after 1865 up to WWI.

We have talked about inventions and got to sample some fun ones, like malted milk balls and chewing gum. 
We have learned about the Allies, Central Powers and discussed President Wilson.

~ Read Alouds ~ 
On the Banks Of Plum Creek Ch. 32 - Finish
In His Steps Ch. 6 - 13

The other subjects (which are alot!) -
 Bug has General Science.
We have finished module 1.

Both girls have Chemistry and we did a lot of review.
Calligraphy we have done Ch. 1 - 5 (some was review).
Art we have worked with Charcoal and Pastels. 
Latin we spent some time reviewing.

 Sis is learning Sign Language and has been working on Ch. 1
PE has been walking, running, riding bikes, playing on the wii and soccer.
Lit with Bug. Currently we are reading Indian In the Cupboard, and have read up through Ch. 10.
Lit with Sis, we reviewed Frost and then have worked on lessons 48 - 50.
Lit with Hunny hasn't been to structured yet.
Psychology with Sis. Ch 1 - 3. 
Home Ec we have done lots of baking for Civil War Events like bread, banana bread, zucchini bread, cookies, tea cakes, scones, etc. and then we learned how to make oven fried chicken.

Geography has been tied in quite a bit with Weaver and then we've played some State/capital BINGO. 

We participated in a Civil War Muster, which was four days of Nature study, physical ed, living history, and drama.

Sis's beau, Warrior Poet is involved in a Barbershop group. He took us out for a day of culture.

It was GREAT! 

We have also had many Dr appointments and quite a few court dates that have interfered with school. 

17 School Days this month.

COUNTRY GIRL 

Voyager News - February Edition



~ ~ ~ SET SAIL FOR A LIFETIME OF LEARNING ~ ~ ~ 

Weaver Vol. 5, Chapter 10

Days 8 - 15.

The Suffering Savior.

We finished the chapter, but it took us longer than expected.

Sis wound up pretty ill and threw our family for a loop!

We spent a few weeks in VERY light school mode

as she slept A LOT!
(Then Hunny was sick...)

We also spent alot of time researching anemia,

trying to figure out how to raise her levels
(she is very close to needing a transfusion)

and learning a bunch about iron in foods

and how to increase absorption.

Her levels still aren't up any but she is feeling some better.

Bible lessons have been mostly in Matthew.

Social Studies has been continuing to learn about the Jewish religion.

We have learned about the order of the services, various offerings and prayers and all the jobs the priests do.

Weaver science has been learning about gears and pulleys.

We have still been working on the temple model -
but we aren't done with it yet.
So even though we finished the chapter and will be moving on,
we will still work on wrapping this up.

~ Read Alouds ~

Little House on the Prairie

Chapters 9 - 24

Parts of the New Way Things Work by David Macaulay

In Photography we studied Alfred Eisenstaedt, Mike Hollingshead (quite a discussion on storm chasers!) and learned about using the macro mode on our cameras.

Home Ec has been fun although we haven't gotten to it every week.

We made cucumber flowers which was interesting

and we made a shaker cake,

but I don't know that we will make either again! lol.

The girls have often asked to help with meals or make things for fun, so while not technically part of 'school' it has been great.

Bug has made pancakes,

and Sis has made cookies, meatloaf, breakfast items, and nachos.

We've done a few lessons in Wisdom Words,

but mostly we've focused on 4H items for their writing and grammar work, for instance, there is an award that is only available to Bugs' age group so she worked on an essay to submit for that.

Latin we've been working on chapter 13 -

ALOT of review!

 We spent a multiple days focusing on rabbits

(in preparation for rabbit shows)

and working on showmanship, doing health checks and grooming and spending lots of time quizzing.

Bug & Hunny got guniea pigs so we've spent some time researching and reading about how to care for them.

Then our homeschool group had the Art Show.

So the girls worked on things for that and we had a really nice evening seeing what everyone had done.

Hunny with her basket & drawing.

 

Sis with her painting & basket.

Bug with photography & drawing.

So even with all the challenges,

it's been a great month of learning!

20 School Days this month.

(total - 101)

 COUNTRY GIRL

Voyager News - January Edition

~ ~ ~ SET SAIL FOR A LIFETIME OF LEARNING ~ ~ ~ 

After our 2 week Christmas Break, 

we began back with a new chapter.

Weaver, Vol. 5, Chapter 10

Days 1 - 7.

The Suffering Savior.

This chapter focuses on the last week of Jesus.

Our Bible lessons have been mostly in Matthew and John.

Social Studies has been in learning about the Jewish Religion.

We have discussed various festivals, worship in the temple and sacrifices.

Weaver Science has been learning about building.

Thus far we have learned about the inclined plane, levers, and the axle and wheel. 

This is important to learn, because they are taking this knowledge and then building a model of the temple. 

~Read Alouds~

Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Chapters 1 - 8

Parts from The New Way Things Work by David Macaulay

In Photography, we've learned about Dorothea Lang, Matthew Brady (VERY important name as we are involved with Civil War reenactments! lol), Ansel Adams, and Edward S. Curtis.

We have learned more terms and techniques such as aperture, depth of field, and rule of thirds. 

I love seeing them getting out and creative with the cameras! 

Home Ec has been going good.

We started the year by talking salad, and making many of them. 

We followed that up last week with beef stew.

 Sis has also (outside of class) made brownies and a cake, including home made icing.

We've gotten in a few lessons in Wisdom Words and I assigned a story from Story Starters for them to work on. 

In Latin we have done Chapters 11 and 12.

For Chemistry we have reviewed, played some Bingo and worked on grasping the Doo Wop Board.

We are discussing fiction in Literature.

Out of a list I provided, Sis chose to read Great Expectations, by Charles Dickens.

I've never read it so it's a good choice. 

Besides our assigned reading, we are discussing things like plot, setting and character.

Math has been going well for Hunny and Sis but Bug has began to struggle a bit. 

Those mixed numbers and division, I tell ya...

12 school days this month.

(total - 81)

COUNTRY GIRL

Voyager News - December Edition

~ ~ ~ SET SAIL FOR A LIFETIME OF LEARNING ~ ~ ~ 

December.

Christmas.

Vacation.

Weaver, Vol. 5, Chapter 9

days 21 - 30.

Life Application of Jesus.

We finished this chapter so much of our work was wrap up.

Bible lessons have been taken from Matthew, Luke & John.

In Weaver Science we have learned about different kinds of weather, including earthquakes.

Social Studies has been preparing for certain types of weather and A LOT of map study. We played a fun game called Your America which while not covering as much geography as I originally thought it would, had a lot of information in it! 

They have had some creative writing assignments, painting/crafting time and for home ec they learned how to make french toast. 

(and then ate alot of it because Hunny then wanted to make it daily!) 

~Read Alouds~

Farmer Boy Ch.18-finish

My Side of the Mountain Ch. 15 - finish

Various Christmas stories

Photography was mostly reviewing but there were a few assignments.

We had four field trip days.

One to the woods where we wandered around and discussed evergreen trees, looked for animal tracks and wildlife and cut our Christmas Tree.

One to the Alpaca Farm for their Christmas Open House.

One outdoor homestead work day,

and one day of running scrap and visiting the Amish stores and discussing their lifestyle.

In literature, we FINALLY finished our book! 

The Wedding Dress Ch 22 - finish.

Math, reading and Latin have all gone well. 

Sis is enjoying Life of Fred and Hunny is making great progress reading.

We also did LOTS of baking/goodie making and had the cool experience of butchering and processing some roosters.

We had 17 school days this month.

(total - 69)

We are taking a two week Christmas break.

COUNTRY GIRL

 

Voyager News - November Edition

~ ~ ~ SET SAIL FOR A LIFETIME OF LEARNING ~ ~ ~ 

 

November.

Hunting season.

Two Birthdays.

Thanksgiving.

 

 

Weaver, Volume 5, Chapter 9

days 9 - 20.

Life application of Jesus.

 

Bible lessons mostly from Matthew.

Our prayer time has been wonderful.

I love hearing my kids pray about others - 

even those they have never met.  

In Weaver Science we have talked about snow/avalanches, river/flooding, and various forms of weathering (erosion).

Some of our science carried over into social studies.

 

In Social Studies it's been alot of geography and maps.

Map searches, longitude & latitude, topographical maps and Israel.

We've used various maps on the walls, the globe, atlases, and internet for our learning. 

I also have a very handy little book about maps that seems to always have a two page spread on ANYTHING I've ever wanted to cover with the girls! It's been a very helpful resource for us.

Of course, with topics like these, we've had some health and safety lessons. We've talked about staying safe in heavy snows and floods. 

I had the girls make paper snowflakes to go along with the snow lessons - only to learn that the older to didn't know how?! 

Snowflakes are now decorating the dinning room...

 

We've done a little bit with Story Starters this month in getting the girls thinking and in Wisdom Words they've done a bit of reviewing.

Home ec with Hunny has been on cracking and making eggs - review for her.

~Read Alouds~

Farmer Boy chapters 7-17

My Side of the Mountain chapters 6-14

Photography came to a short standstill when my camera died on me,

(That was my Black Friday purchase for myself! Can't live without the camera!) So we've only discussed light and Eadward Muybridge.

Chemistry has just been working with the Doo Wop Board and reviewing the Periodic Table.

Sis has had two volunteer days this month.

We've also taken more time to do homestead type jobs - 

extra cleaning, fruit preservation and lately Christmas decorating.

We've been watching lots of historical shows on Netflix and having great conversations regarding Indian treaties/treatment, diseases of the day, inventions and what we take for granted and customs of the time period 

(dress, food, manners, etc).

We've borrowed a few books from the Life of Fred math series for Sis to try out.

So far she seems to like it...

 

We've had 16 school days.

(total - 52)

COUNTRY GIRL

 

Voyager News - October Edition

~ ~ ~ SET SAIL FOR A LIFETIME OF LEARNING ~ ~ ~

Here we are already at the end of another month! 

Wow, does time fly so fast! 

October has been pretty busy.

 

This month we wrapped up Weaver Ch. 8, 

days 19 - 22.

We then started Ch. 9,

Life applications of Jesus,

and we have done days 1 - 8.

 

Bible lessons have been taken from Matthew and Luke.

Lots of good discussions! 

 

In Weaver science Ch. 8 we finished up by learning about non seed plants - algae and moss.

In Ch. 9 science we have been learning about Mountains - what makes a mountain, elevation/altitude, plant and animal life (especially eagles) on mountains, tree/snow lines and precipitation/the water cycle.

 

Sis has had a few supplement assignments so far.

For Social Studies it's been maps.

Hunny has had some lessons in map making around home,  

and has learned the names/locations of 7 states where family members live and how they relate geographically to our state.

Hunny had so much fun designing a map of her room, 

that she went on to map a map of the house! lol.

The older girls have worked on some geography and map skills at their level as well,

but that's been mostly review.

 

Weaver has had two health lessons thus far,

protecting our bodies and the use of sunscreen.

For Language Arts, they've had a story assignment,

where they had to write a story involving a river.

I left things wide open as to how to write it and got wonderful results.

Sis wrote a beautiful story in poem format and Bug wrote and illustrated a very nice short story.

They've also had a Bible word search.

We've done a bit of review work in Weaver's Wisdom Words,

and since Hunny is ALWAYS wanting to help me in the kitchen, I've pulled out a home ec book and we are going to try and do that once a week.

So far, both lessons have been review of things she knows - 

nutrition and how to use a veggie peeler. 

~ Read Alouds ~

Little House in the Big Woods - 

from Chapter 8 on - finished.

Farmer Boy - Chapters 1 - 6

My Side of the Mountain - Chapters 1 - 5

(those chapters aren't numbered, 

but I went through and numbered them myself 

for ease of record keeping)

In Photography, 

we have studied George Eastman, Dr. Emerson, 

Margaret Bourke White, and Joe Rosenthal.

We have learned about how digital cameras work, the computers inside cameras, color, and focus.

They have had numerous assignments and have been playing with different settings on their cameras and trying out a variety of tips and suggestions. 

Chemistry has slowed a bit as we've spent extra time studying quantum mechanics.

But we've played tons of games of Bingo, and a variety of other games to help comprehend quantum mechanics,

and have done lots of quizzing each other on it.

We are all done with our Latin review and will now be spending a good week on each chapter.

It's been great hearing Latin chants again through the house. 

Sis and I are still plodding along in The Wedding Dress.

The lifestyle differences are such a big discussion.

I have made up a alphabet song for Hebrew,

and I can sing it! 

By memory!

lol. 

Sis still thinks I'm nuts, but it is helping.

We had one homestead work day,

where we worked all day around here

instead of doing 'regular' school.

Basement wall/holes into it, goat shed, cleaning, and yard stuff.

We went on one weekend field trip - 

to the local Alpaca Farm.

Had a great time!

 

We have also been able to check out multiple wooly worms 

and a few praying mantis.

We've had 20 school days this month.

(total - 36)

COUNTRY GIRL

Living For Joy

I've been thinking how depressing my last post was,

My house doesn't feel like a haven....

Then I read a post this morning that got me -

you know, it stepped on my toes!

Honest, I try to be thankful.

And I try to serve my family without grumbling.

So let me dwell on that today.

Reasons I have to be happy this week:

* I have my husband and kids

* We got almost all of the planned school work done!

* Hunny prays with such heart, I love it.

* Sis has been doing her supplement work and doing a great job.

* The sun has been shinning and it's been warm. I have totally loved spending the afternoons outside soaking in the suns warmth.

* Hunny is a big helper. Tonight she even helped debone rabbit!

* I get hugs and kisses from my girls.

* Sis gave me a foot rub.

* Bug makes me cute drawings.

* Unexpected blessings that help us through.

* Sis and Bug won 4H county awards - I'm so proud of them!

* Good Ole Boy has been top in sales at work - he rocks!

* I've been able to get some extra work done around the house.

* We have a roof over our heads. I might not like it, but it IS better than being homeless.

* We have food in our bellies. It might not be what WE want, and yes, that means *I* have to cook it but it IS better than going hungry.

* Gas is down!

* I have my parents, and wonderful memories of my grandparents.

* I have the privilege of being able to homeschool my girls.

What I've done to love and serve others

* Read to Hunny when I was "busy".

* Cooked and did laundry when I didn't feel like it.

* Played extra games of Element Bingo when the kids asked.

* Let Hunny stay in p.j's when shes asked.

* Stayed up really late making Einstein do his French, not to be a big meanie, but because I want him to succeed and do well in school. 

* Let the girls crash on the couch when they were sad over Bugs turtle dying.

Funny, we've been talking about similar things in school.

In Weaver, we have been talking about being a good steward.

How everything we have is a gift from God.

How we should be thanking God DAILY for what he has bestowed upon us.

How we are to be BLESSING others, however we can.

Are we?

AM I?

I like the concept of this challenge.

To be deliberate in our thanksgivings,

AND 

in our servings.

Modern Alternative Mama

COUNTRY GIRL

Voyager News - September Edition

~ ~ ~ SET SAIL FOR A LIFETIME OF LEARNING ~ ~ ~ 

We started out our school year with our local homeschool groups Kick Off event.

A fun event that takes place at an area park, 

Kick Off is a laid back picnic event. 

Families eat, play and catch up with each other, 

while meeting new friends.

We began back to school needing to finish the chapter we quit in the middle of. (not my intent to end there, but it happened)

So we are in Weaver Chapter 8 - 

The Parables of Jesus.

We do Weaver about 3 days a week.

This month we've done days 12 through 18.

Most of our Bible lessons have been taken from Matthew and Luke.

We've had some pretty good discussions about the meanings of these parables. 

I love discussing with my kids!

In Weaver science we've reviewed photosynthesis, and gone in depth into flowers and seeds,

even dissecting a seed pod.

Sis of course has extra supplement work to do digging even deeper into some topics. 

She has done an amazing job! 

Going above and beyond what was even assigned to her. 

This chapter also includes Money Management.

Really stressing how EVERYTHING is God's, on loan to us...

How we should be helping others,

giving to them...

and being faithful in the little things given to us before we will be entrusted with more.

Wow. 

There is really alot to learn here! 

~ Read Alouds ~

 From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler - finished the final 2 chapters.

Little House in the Big Woods - have read Chapters 1 - 7.

In photography we have been learning about its early history.

We've been memorizing quotes that go along with the lessons - 

todays was "A picture is worth a thousand words",

and they've been learning words that relate to the art.

The people we've studied thus far -

Niepce, Daguerre and Fox Talbot and how they have influenced photography with their inventions.

They have done a few sketching and photography assignments,

as we learn about their equipment, and some lighting basics.

Now chemistry has been a HUGE hit!

After learning about the history of chemistry and exactly who can be a scientist, we've had fun assignments, games and labs.

They absolutely LOVE element bingo and beg to play it daily.

It's REALLY helping them to learn their periodic table.

The labs are FUN and very hands on!

We begun the year reviewing Latin.

Sis and I picked up where we ended in Lit - which is with reading The Wedding Dress by Marian Wells.

The story is set in a Mormon community so we've had lots of very good discussions. 

While we haven't made it real far in Hebrew we (meaning ***I***) have been trying to learn the alphabet.

We have gone on one field trip thus far,

to our local Civil War Muster.

We've had 16 school days this month.

COUNTRY GIRL

Curriculum Lineup 2011

It's that time of year again.

Time to share what we will be using this year in school.

(to see 2010 curriculum click here)

As y'all know, we use the Weaver Curriculum.

We will be picking up  Vol. 5 where we left off in June.

We love Weaver!

I use the Supplement with Sis for upper level learning on the same topics that the Volume covers.

The Day by Day is a daily planner with suggestions for what to teach each day.

I am not a slave to the DBD, I use it as a guide.

We should finish Volume 5 mid year.

At that time, I want to go through 

Genesis One.

To do this, we need a chemistry set.

And since we are studying Chemistry,

AND since the school Sis plans on attending suggests Chemistry is needed,

(Sis plans on attending a local 'beauty' school and getting a cosmetology license)

we will also be doing a year long Chemistry curriculum this year.

It's a new name to me, but I found it searching and it looks fun, yes you read that right, it looks FUN.

This will be a first for us.

Adding an extra full time science course.

Prayers appreciated. :)

(Bug will be doing it too as she is very 'sciencey',

so I will be gearing her remaining school years more heavily in the sciences.)

Math needs to be added to Weaver.

We will again be using Switched on Schoolhouse for the older two girls.

And Hunny will still be using AOP Lifepacs.

(which I still didn't photograph!)

Sis and Hunny went through alot of "Teach your child to read in 100 easy lessons" last year.

This year I plan on focusing more with Hunny in this area.

I will let Sis continue with the lessons from the book, 

but I hope to spend time specifically working on reading a few times a week with Hunny. 

I am also planning more time with Bug and her reading issues.

Actually her reading is progressing quite nicely, but her spelling....

(Bug, while not officially dx'd has many dyslexia symptoms that we are working on)

Sis will be continuing the lit program from last year.

She will also be doing more writing this year.

We will be continuing in Hebrew.

Which is what I personally am struggling with.

The symbols confuse me and to assist my brother in teaching her, I need to know what is going on.

So I *hope* to make progress for her in this area.

We will also be continuing Latin.

We need to finish up Level A

then hopefully move on to Level B.

Bug has talked for years about wanting to learn Ancient Egyptian.

I found this

for her!

It'll be a mostly for fun thing, but will be a step towards her goal.

(and If anyone knows of a curriculum for learning this, 

please comment!!)

And of course,

I still have these for grade guidelines.

So that is our curriculum run down.

We will have extra curriculars too.

Bug and Hunny will be playing soccer this fall.

I hope to take part in gym class and karate.

We are still active in 4H.

We stay busy and learn alot every year.

COUNTRY GIRL