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curriculum changes for the new school year …

Written by Joy
7 Comments
curriculum changes for the new school year …

A lot has happened since I last posted about what we will be using for our curriculum for this school year.  The biggest, we moved.   So, as I am getting ready to start school again, there have been a few changes in our curriculum.  We will be using Illuminations.  They give many suggestions on what to use and even offer an awesome scheduling tool to help you prepare your lessons.  We will be using a lot of the suggestions that Illuminations gives.  One of the main reasons why I am going with Illuminations this year?  All three of my children will be using a lot of the same materials.  Especially my younger two.  I am hoping this will help scheduling and teaching them  slightly easier this year.

So what is Illuminations? Bright Ideas Press says it best in their description.

“Illuminations is an all-inclusive *curriculum, covering Bible, Language Arts (grammar, writing, copywork, spelling and vocabulary), Literature, Science, Humanities (poetry, theatre, music, and art), Geography, History, Life Skills, and Projects. Illuminations is built to compliment our Mystery of History or All American History Series.”

 So, what will we be using with Illuminations Year 1?  We are still using Mystery of History: Volume I.  We finished about a 1/4 of the book last year, so I thought I would save some money and just continue to use it this year.  All three of my children will be using this as their History.

For Language Arts, we will be using what they recommend.  For the younger kids, Natural Speller (Spelling), WriteShop (Writing), English from the Roots Up (Vocabulary) and Winston Grammar Basic Level AND The Blue Book of Grammar and Punctuation (Grammar).  They also give a great list for the Literature section.

I am excited about incorporating the geography that they are recommending; The Ultimate Geography and Timeline Guide and Hands-On Geography.  We will also be using WonderMaps.  We have used it in the past and it is one of the best programs that I have seen.

I love Apologia Science curriculum, so we will be continuing on with it this year.  The younger two kids have asked to study Astronomy.  My oldest daughter, who is now in 9th grade, will be doing Biology from Apologia.

For Math, we are sticking with Bob Jones for Samuel and Claire.  Sarah, she will continue with Teaching Textbooks.  If it works, I see no need of changing it.

We will also continue to use See The Light for our art curriculum.  My younger two have absolutely enjoyed using this and have learned a lot.  I love how Pat Knepley teaches the art and then shares a scripture at the end of the lesson.   As for Sarah, she will be using Artistic Pursuits.  I think she will be challenged by this art curriculum.  I am also wanting to add Harmony Fine Arts at Home.  We will also be using the Young Guide to Composers curriculum.

The most important book of all we will be using, is the Bible.  It is important to me for my children to learn about God and to love Him with all their heart.  We will also be using the Who is God? curriculum from Apologia, for a family bible study.  I am excited to be able to use this with all three of my children.

While it does seem like a lot, it really does not take long to complete the work that is involved.  Illuminations has this amazing scheduling tool that I can use to schedule the curriculum out the way I need to.  I am excited about this curriculum and look forward to sharing with you all we learn this year.

I would love for you to share with me some of the curriculum you are using this year.  Is it working so far?  Have you had to change anything yet?  Let me know in the comments!

2012, homeschooling, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

White Ranch Park – field trip

Written by Joy
White Ranch Park – field trip

The one thing I love about moving and living in a new place, is all of the wonderful field trip opportunities.  There is so much to see and do in this area.  I could choose a field trip once a week and be doing something every week for a whole year. This time, we took the younger kids to White Ranch Park.  It is considered an Open Space Park.  It has a lot of trails that you can ride horses on or you can just walk.  We saw people taking their dogs with them, as well! White Ranch Park used to be a successful ranch back in the early 1900’s.  Now, it is a successful park with many different types of wildlife running all over it.  The park also has a couple of ares that you can camp in.  We have talked about taking the kids camping and I am thinking this would be a wonderful place! The park has left a lot of farming and ranching equipment behind for visitors to look at. While they are old and rusty, they are still beautiful to look at and learn about.  I am thankful for the signs the park has put up to explain what each piece of equipment is.  It gave my kids a chance to read a little about the history of ranching and farming in  the mountains.

Kids reading information about mountain lions.

Kids looking at a John Deere 383 Plow.

Claire reading about a ground leveling tool, while Sammy looked at it.

Their dad is explaining to them how the Seed Planter worked.

An old Hay Mower.

A Hay Raker.

A Manure Spreader.

Kids sitting on the rock, where a plaque is displayed for the dedication of the White Ranch Park.

 

Looking forward to heading back to the park.  Do you have any historical parks in your area?  What do you love most about them?

2012, family, homeschooling, , , ,

Views from White Ranch Park

Written by Joy
4 Comments
Views from White Ranch Park

While my oldest daughter was at her riding lesson, we rode to White Ranch Park in Golden, CO.  It is a beautiful Open Space.  A lot of great trails to walk on.  We didn’t have time to go hiking on any of them, but were still able to take in the gorgeous views that the park offered.  I see us coming back here for a field trip to do a nature walk for science.  The kids have already said our next time to the park, we will need to bring a picnic lunch. I can’t wait until next time!

Homestead Road, Golden, CO.

Homestead Road, Golden, CO.

Homestead Road, Golden, CO.

White Ranch Park, Golden, CO.

White Ranch Park, Golden, CO.

White Ranch Park, Golden, CO.

White Ranch Park, Golden, CO.

2012, family, photography, , , , , ,

from a country girl to a city girl

Written by Joy
5 Comments

I never thought this would ever happen, yet it is happening this week.  I, who grew up in the country, will be moving to an apartment in a city.   I grew up in the middle of one of the smallest county’s in the state of Florida.  My parents and grandparents owned several acres of land which was also surrounded by family who owned land as well.  We basically had free reign of all that land to roam and play on.

My family had all sorts of animals.  We has chickens, geese, turkeys, dogs and cats.  We raised on occasion hogs for 4-H.  We grew a garden almost every year.  My grandma lived about 100 yards from my house.  I practically lived at her house during the summer months.  We didn’t have a whole lot of money, but we had each other.  My parents loved us a lot.  I grew up with 3 brothers and loved being the only girl.

I got married at 17 and moved to a small town of about 350.  When our oldest was 4, we moved out to my husband’s mothers’ land.  Which was surrounded by more land.  We got us a dog and had a garden.  I loved it.

The time came though that we needed a change for our family and that is when my husband received a job in Sylva, NC at the local community college.  While we were moving to a larger area, it was still in the mountains and we still had a sense of being out in the country/mountains.  When we bought our house, we had wild animals come in the yard all the time.  Huge flocks of turkeys crossed our path often.  We saw bears and even a deer on occasion.

Times change though and we felt God calling us to move again.  This time, it was cross country to a much larger city.  This has scared me, but also has challenged me in many ways.  I love the openness and the freedom of living in the country.  I love seeing the wildlife.  Most of all, I love the peace and quiet that comes with being in the country. I feel like I am closer and more connected to God.  Life just seems to be at a slower pace in the country.

However, I feel like God is trying to grow me.  He is definitely pulling me out of my comfort zone.  I have already had comments about my southern accent. Sometimes I feel like people are making fun of me, however, I know they really don’t mean it and I need to just let it go. I can’t grow if I am in a comfortable place.  While I will miss this little piece of heaven in this vacation rental that is out in the mountains, I am excited about what God has planned for me.  Am I scared?  Yes!  Am I a little apprehensive about moving to the city?  Yes!  However, I know God will be with me every single step of the way.

One day, I know I will be back in the country because I feel like that is where I really belong.  For the time being, God has something in store for me and I can’t wait to see what it is.  In the mean time, you can take the girl out of the country, but can’t take the country out of the girl. 😉

 

2012, Faith, God, , , , , , ,