Phonics Flip Chart

Here's my little one displaying his beloved flip chart! He has learned so many words and is getting really fast at sounding them out. The flip chart is wonderful because we can take it anywhere and he feels like such a big boy being able to read something on his own. I guess years of watching his older brother carry books around where ever we go has made an impression on him! Anyway, he found this at Mardel's and I'm going back to get the other ones soon!

Shakespeare Resource

I've checked out several different versions of Shakespeare retellings and the Leon Garfield books are the ones that capture my boys' attention and tell enough of the play not to lose the storyline. They also love the pictures, which aren't necessarily my favorite, but it helps them "see" the story.

I've tried the versions that Ambleside Online recommends, but they are much more difficult for the boys to follow, so we'll stick to Shakespeare Stories for now.

Copy Work books

I love these copy work books by Memoria Press! I was printing out and picking out my son's copy work for each day-- and it was fun but time consuming! Unfortunately, I had to look for some short cuts while undergoing cancer treatment the last 8 months and I came upon one of these copy books. It was a life saver and a blessing and well worth the money. My oldest son was able to pull the book out and work on a page every day without needing me to do anything and I could look it over once a month or so to see how he was doing.





Now with 2 children actively doing lessons every day, the copy books save me time and they are very convenient. I have not seen the cursive book as of yet and it probably won't work for my oldest who being a sloppy lefty is struggling to do cursive at all.

http://www.memoriapress.com/descriptions/Copy-Books.html

Science Program

We have also begun a new science curriculum that we are doing in a Co-op with another family (we're also doing art together).

These are really enjoyable science books and experiments. Very kid & non-scientist mom friendly!! They are written by a homeschool mom who also happens to be a scientist and she knows KIDS & SCIENCE and how to best put them together!

We are using the Pre-Level 1 books this year because of the age range we are teaching- 5, 7 & 9 year olds. The Level 1 books are geared for 3rd- 5th graders so we will move into those next year and they will have a great foundation in science concepts.

In addition, we still read many great nature stories, go for nature walks, keep nature journals and so on. To learn more go to:

http://www.arn.org/realscience/realscience_morabout.html

Art Program

We are using a new art program this year and loving it!! It's called Artistic Pursuits and has levels from beginning elementary through high school. We are starting at the beginning with book A & the lessons are simple but fun and the boys (age 9, 7, and almost 5) are getting to try many different techniques.

Each lesson includes a close look at a painting for art appreciation and practice in noticing detail! The questions really get the kids talking and observing. I'll try to post some completed projects when I can.

http://www.artisticpursuits.com/index.html

Coming back to life after chemo

It's been a long, sometimes ugly road of cancer treatment over these past eight months, but I feel that life is finally moving beyond treatment and more and more back into the realm of normalcy... which is what, really??

Well, for me, part of my 'normal' world is reading to my boys at night before bed. I LOVE to do this!! I've always LOVED to do this. It has always been our routine to cuddle up with great books, whether picture books when they are very small or chapter books as they get older. They snuggle into their beds and get very quiet and it has always been the most peaceful time of the day for us. And I get a captive audience! I also get to send them off to sleep while fun and whimsical characters dance through their heads. We all reap the joy of togetherness as we explore different countries and times through stories they'll remember forever. I am so deeply grateful to have the energy once again to have bedtime stories!

Normal is being able to fix a complete meal, serve it AND be able to clean up afterwards! That takes soooo much energy! I never even realized how much work one meal can seem when you are wiped out, but I hope to appreciate how much energy God supplies us with from now on, because it really is awesome.

Normal is choosing to have a lazy day off with the boys and relax in the sun! Imagine the panic that sets in after not actively doing homeschool lessons every day for almost an entire school year! Yikes! I knew the boys were fine & progressing even without my involvement daily, but it wasn't what I had planned for them! (And I have such terrific plans, don't you know???) That made for a mom becoming very stressed about getting good habits back in place and feeling confident that the boys would once again listen to mom- not just as mom, but also as their instructor. I feel the worries melting away and God is replacing it with a glorious peace. No more panic, lots less stress! More play time in the sun!

I'm not completely myself yet- but I am getting there! (And it feels good!) I'm also not (completely) done with treatment, since I have to take a drug for the next 5 years and have checkups every 3 months, oh, and another surgery this summer... but with what I have finished and gone through already- the road ahead seems straight and ***hopefully*** rutless!!!! I'm just going to enjoy being normal for now....

Earth Day fun!

We got our act together and planted some flowers around the house on Earth Day! Seemed like a great way to celebrate our terrific planet and the boys will do anything to play in the dirt! My little loves to water the flowers for me... even after a rain... ;) !