Peanuts and Elevators

Life Science

Science you can eat, burn, ferment.

Food energy and nutrients.

(Tuttle, the failed {sort of} experiment was supposed to be: Respiration.  To explore how seeds use energy and oxygen.)  A few of the seeds started to open, but that was that.  It ended up stinking.

Elevators- A Writing Lesson

The kids are having a hard time with the Creative Expression in the Sonlight.

So, I came up with this for now.

I picked the topic Elevators.

Day one: Describe what youe elevator is like.  Smells, looks, feels, sounds, etc.

Day two: What is going on inside your elevator?  Outside? 

This is what we have so far.  These are just sketches, therefore sloppiness is allowed! :)

Day three:  I will think about that tonight in bed!

Another One Bites the Dust

As the commerical goes..."No more tears."

Analytical Grammar is done for.  As I told you, it is a three year course.  DD did it in one year.  DS started his second, and forgot just about everything he learned from last year!!  And there is no way he is going to reread all of that and neither am I.  This is a building thing, so you have to remember what you learned.  In all honesty, much of it is way over the top and just not that practical, unless you plan on being an editor, english teacher or the like.  So, it is going in the trash!

He is still learning grammar through Wordly Wise.  Which I use as their spelling too. 

They are not to hip on the Creative Expression part of Sonlight.  This is frustrating for me.  Writing was my outlet in school.  So when they look at me like deer in the headlights, I get stuck.  Imagine you were someone, somewhere far, far away.  Time travel even.  Tell us your story, what happened, where'd you go, what did you do? On and on...the kids, well, they say, I don't get it!  I think I am going to have to help them think.  Break things down even more for them.  They are beginning to not like writing.  Now, don't get me wrong DS has an imagination...a very vivid one.  It's just putting all of that onto paper.  DD is well, more of think in the box sort.

We also started DS in the Boys and Girls Club.  Turns out he really needs more socialization ( I know I may have opened a can of worms here.) then I can give him.  I thought DD would be the one who needed it more.  Funny how things are.  Anyway, it was hubby's idea.  I had some reservations.  DS did not want to go.  However, he LOVES and I mean LOVES it!  He can't wait for 3 ish to come.  He is one of the oldest there, but it's fine with him.  He comes home much nicer and respectful. 

Thanks Tuttle for your well wishes and prayers.

If you read and have your own blog, I would love to read about you and your adventures.

Our daughter loves making videos. 

Here's one she made of last year.

You get a chance to view my rascals live (well almost live).

The artist in the family (son) had this for us our first morning.

Geography, as if you needed an explaination.

Science...a week long project, that looks like it may not work.

First Day...Nice Day

We did it!  First day down and done!

With one in 9th grade and the other in 7th, I knew we would have a bit more work. 
We also tried Sonlight for the first time.
I think I am going to really like it.
The kids, well the jury is still out.

All in all, today went really smooth!

I tell you the week before we all stayed up too late and sleep in even later.

This morning God made sure I woke up on time.  We had a thunder storm nice and early!  I have been up since five!

Sleep? Sometimes it's better not to...

So my goal was to get the kids on a school schedule. 
Early to bed, early to rise.
However, life has a way of not following plans.
Sometimes that is a good thing.
Take last night, we stayed up LONG after we prayed and said goodnight.
Our daughter and I in the living room talking about boys, life, friends, God's will, etc.
I wouldn't trade it for the extra sleep.
Our son was hanging out in the garage with dad, talking.  He went to bed ("but not to sleep") first.
Then dad joined us girls on the couch and talked more about life.
This morning, they are still in bed.
I slept in and still spent time with God (good time!) and ate breakfast!
Even the dog is still asleep.
Only poor hubby had to get up EARLY for work.  Bless his soul.

Oh, Thursday night will be a late on too.
We plan to stay up to watch the meteor shower.

So, for now, our school sleep shedule will be on hold.
I guess that's one of the many blessings of homeschooling.

This Years Line Up

We have used a number of curriculum over the fews years.  Some we are keeping and others, well, they didn't work for us.  Here's what we are using this year.

Math-U-See:  Keeper!  It works great for both kids and for me.  I can't say enough about it.  I have recommended it to other people who love it as well.

A Reason for Science:  Keeper!  It comes with everything you need!  We are going to be doing 7th and 8th grade this year.  There are only 36 lesson per year.  Both kids are doing this together.  DD was having a hard time getting science.  DS gets it easier.  So I lowered her two grades and teach them together.  By the end of this year DD wil only be one year "behind" and DS will be one year "ahead".  This curriculum only goes up to the 8th grade.

Analytical Grammar:  DS will keep on working on his grammar.  It is a three year (6th-8th) course.  DD was able to do it in one year.   It is a pretty intense course.  When they are done with it they should "know" all the grammar they need.

Sonlight: Core 7 for history, geography, current events, writing, bible, etc.  Again, both kids will be using this.  This will be our first year with Sonlight.  Have heard many wonderful things about it.  I finished reading through my instructor's giude and I think I got it.  We'll have to work out how they are going to share the books.  From the looks of it, I know I am going to love the books.  We have read some of them already.

Wordly Wise 7 and 9:  This is through Sonlight.  I think you can get it other places.  It will be our spelling (ha...I just spelled that wrong...twice!).  I am sure DD will have no problems.  Spelling is one of her best subjects.  I often have her look over the things I write.

We don't have set electives.  The kids "do their own thing" here.  They each play an instrument...drums and guitar.  DD takes singing lessons and spends her time making movies (really small videos).  She also volunteers at a local thrift store once week.  DS is always doing something, drawing, building, sports (not with any group), he has a garden.  They both "dress up" and do skits, which are video taped and then DD makes then into videos.  We like to let them come up with their own stuff here.  It is probably more on the lines with what they will do in real life anyway.

Back to School...Already!

In two weeks the alarm clocks will ring early once again. 
In two weeks the sounds of school will once again fill our house.
In two weeks our summer will end.

Where did the time go?

I had a list of things to get done before the new school year came!