Skip to main content

Mystery of History ~ Elisha helps a widow…

Written by Joy
4 Comments
Mystery of History ~ Elisha helps a widow…

My kids and I are really enjoying the Illuminations by Bright Ideas Press.   We are using Illuminations Year 1 and have chosen Mystery of History as our history spine. We started using Mystery of History Volume I, last year, but never finished it.  So I figured we would start over and reuse it this year with the Illuminations Year 1.  I am glad we did.

We just finished up lesson 37 on Elisha (Israel’s Prophet).  During this lesson, we read that Elisha was compared to Jesus.  They both loved being around people and performed many miracles.  A few of the miracles that we talked about Elisha performing are; Elisha telling soldiers to dig pools in the earth and they would be filled, the healing of Naaman, and miracles for the Shunammite woman (her having a baby and then Elisha bringing the boy back to life after dying) and the widow who had a debt that needed paying.   Those are just a few of the miracles that Elisha performed!

The Mystery of History activity for lesson 37 was doing an experiment with water and oil.  During this experiment, we were able to talk more about how Elisha performed the miracle for the widow woman in 2 Kings 4:1-7.

Samuel pouring oil in a measuring cup.

First, Samuel took the oil and poured a 1/2 cup in a measuring cup.

Claire getting a bowl of water.

Next Claire, got a bowl and filled it with water.

Claire putting drops of purple food coloring in the bowl of water.

She then put purple food coloring in the bowl to tint the water.

Putting drops of colored water in the oil.

The next step was to put drops of the colored water in the cup of the oil.  We were to watch and discuss what the reaction of the water to be in the oil.

The results of adding the colored water to the oil.

The results of adding the colored water to the oil.

The kids noticed that the water drops stayed in balls and dropped to the bottom of the cup of oil.

We also talked about why Elisha would tell the lady and her sons to go get as many empty vessels as they could find and to keep pouring the oil in the vessels.  When they could not obtain any more vessels to pour the oil in, the oil stopped flowing.  Elisha then told her to go and sell the oil to take care of her debts.  She did.  It is so amazing how God provides right when you need it!  I have seen many miracles in my lifetime and they do still happen!!

I am thankful for this opportunity to have found this amazing curriculum that has been published by Bright Ideas Press.  I am also thankful they have allowed me to be an affiliate for them.  You will see their buttons on the side of my blog. If you click on those and order any product, I will get a small portion of that purchase.  The links in this post also contain affiliate links.  Again, if you click on those links, I will get a small portion.

However, even if I wasn’t an affiliate, I would still recommend this amazing curriculum to you.  I always enjoy sharing curriculum I love and is working with us.  I am hoping to share more throughout the year as we go through this curriculum.  If you have any questions,  please email me at jumpforjoy at gmail dot com or message me on my Facebook page A Journey of Joy.

 

This post contains affiliate links.

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

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, , , ,

Lookout Mountain ~ field trip

Written by Joy
Lookout Mountain ~ field trip

One of the first places we took the kids when we got to Colorado, was Lookout Mountain. Lookout Mountain is the place where Buffalo Bill is buried. They have a beautiful museum and a great little cafe on top of the mountain. The day we took the kids, they were having their annual music festival. So there was an extra added treat to this visit.

The first thing we did was take a short walk around the railing outside.  The views were just beautiful.  We saw people para-sailing off the mountain.   I tried to get a picture, but they were just too far away.  You can barely see them in the picture.

I just can’t seem to get enough of the views.  They are absolutely beautiful!

The picture below is of the North and South Table Top Mountains.

I love the history of the Old West.  So I was in heaven walking through this museum.  The amount of actual items from his shows are amazing.

One of the reason why I love this museum so much, is they have an area just for the kids.  They provide hats, boots, chaps and vests for the kids to try on.  They also have a horse and a calf so the kids can try to rope the calf.  I didn’t think we would ever get the kids away from this area.

Loved my son’s facial expression in this picture.  He did not want his sister on the horse with him!

Claire did finally get her turn on the horse.  I just wish I could have taken better pictures of the kids in this area.

I am thankful that my kids live history as much as I do.  They took their time looking at each display.

Even my oldest child enjoyed this little family field trip.  It is rare that he gets to come with us when we go on trips.

The Buffalo Bill Museum is a great place to go for a family outing.  I definitely see us coming to this museum many times.

2012, homeschooling, , , , , , ,