School Plans for 2017 - 2018 .... subject to alterations

This year, I will be schooling 4 students.

The boys - Scholar and Squirrel will both be in 6th/7th Grade.

The girls - Star is a 4th grader, and Sunshine is in 2nd.  

Squirrel and Star are only here a few weeks of the year (30 - 35) and just for school, they return home on the weekends.   They live just far enough away that they overnight here rather than their mom being on the road 4 hours a day to transport them.

They have been here for 2 full years, and we do something of a 7 weeks on, then a break.  We do 5 of these and call them rotations, so we run about 35 weeks of the year.    This year we are planning this ...

School's Proposed running = (35 weeks accounted for)

Rotation 1    July 31 -  Sept 15

Fall Break Sept 16 - Oct. 1

Rotation 2     Oct. 2 - November 18

Christmas Vacation    November 19 - Dec. 31

Rotation 3     Jan 1 - Feb 16

Winter Break    Feb 17 - Feb 25

Rotation 4    Feb 26 - April 20
Easter Break April 2 - 6

Spring Break     April 21 - April 29

Rotation 5    April 30 - June 15

Summer Vacation    June 16 - July 28



My own two kids have activity watches - both Garmins, and they remind us to not sit still all day, every day.   School is important for the mind, but so is movement!   So keep in mind that we send them outside to run for at least a few minutes every hour.   They also have an hour of lunch and play, 20 minutes before chores and all of the time after chores (except on bath nights).   Also, if they are ready for school early, they can grab extra minutes before school.   I'm not a school in my PJ's type person though.


Our proposed day will look something like this ....

8am -
Get up, clean rooms, make beds, dressed and hair brushed, morning chores (dishes, start laundry, breakfast, vitamins, animals) ...

9am -
Scholar - Math using Kahn's Academy.   Currently on 5th - 8th Concepts
Squirrel -  will be working in 5th/6th grade Rod and Staff English.
Star - 4th Grade Reading from Rod and Staff
Sunshine - 2nd Grade RS Spelling and Penmanship

10am -
Scholar - 6/7 RS English
Squirrel - Kahn's for Math - Currently on 3rd - 5th Concepts
Star - 4th RS Spelling
Sunshine - 2nd RS Reading

11am -
Scholar - Special Topics and School House Teachers Bible Units - Life of Christ and other studies
Squirrel - Alpha Omega 7th Grade Lifepacs
Star and Sunshine - State History

12 Noon -
Lunch

1pm - 
Scholar and Squirrel - 6th Spelling RS
Star - Math on Kahn's - starting at the 2nd - 3rd concepts
Sunshine - 2nd/3rd RS English

2pm -
Scholar and Squirrel - Electives from Schoolhouse Teachers
Star - 3rd/4th RS English
Sunshine - Kahn's Math - 1st - 3rd Concepts to begin

3pm -
Scholar and Squirrel - World History using Prezi.com ..https://prezi.com/pp28y4maybef/copy-of-world-geography-1-the-water/
I made these for the girls this year ... but will adapt them for the boys for next year.  I will supplement with topics from Schoolhouse Teachers.
Star and Sunshine -  Listen to the Bible chapters from Reading class and draw the story.   Also Awana and Schoolhouse Teachers videos to fill in.

4pm -
All - Science from Schoolhouse Teachers and Youtube with special projects assigned per age.  Our topics will be Geology and  Botony for everyone, with Physics and Chemistry topics as well for the boys.   We chose to not do Apologia this year - as we had purchased the School House Teachers and were loving it.  Scholar also plans to do a unit on Earth Science.


During the evening they play, do chores, Eat Supper.

By 7pm we are in the schoolroom to do Tablet Time, Reading Time, Bible Memory Time, and Clean up for tomorrow, as well as checking off our tasks and chores on Habitica.   I would rather do this in the livivngroom, but storage needs have taken over the livingroom again.

9pm - Bedtime and Lights Out.   They can listen to music or Audio books on their devices (mp3 players or old cell phones pretending to be camera/mp3 players)  for an hour.

The schedule seems to work for us, they end up with very little work to do over the 3 day weekend.

We do almost no testing - other than English and Math and other subjects as is required, like spelling tests, until they reach High School.   But they have so much more fun learning when they don't have to worry about what might or might not be on a test.  And it's fun to sneak in an extra book or video about what we are studying.

Lesson: Just Enjoy the Music - Blessed Assurance

For a while here … I’ve been mulling music … and songs from my childhood.  Much loved songs.  Some songs I remember with one voice, and others I remember from several records, church choirs and many more.  But I thought, it would be fun to feature some of those songs … into a song study for homeschools.

You can consider this a Free Curriculum if you like - or just something fun.

Compare and contrast the different groups singing the song.

Is the music all the same or did they change it?

Do you like the changes?

Did they change the speed of the song?

Did changing the speed change your emotional response to the song?  Do you feel sadder?  Happier?  Want to dance?  Go to sleep?

Are the voices high or low?  Do you like the song better sung at a higher pitch or a lower pitch?

Which version did you like the best?

Learn this song as sung by your favorite group.  Try to imitate their pitch and tone.

Do the singers move around?   Did that add to your enjoyment or the emotional feel of the song.

Write out the words to the song.  What do they mean to you?

What is the history of the song?  Who wrote it?  Why?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blessed_Assurance

What other things can you learn from these songs?

If the song is Christian… Is the Song based on Scripture?   Can you find Scripture to back up the message in the song?

This is one of many songs popular among many cultures ... how does culture affect how the song is sung?

SONG OF THE WEEK

BLESSED ASSURANCE

Fanny Crosby

1873

  In the comments - which were your favorites?  Do you have another favorite not listed?

I will star my favorites.

I am also attempting to make the posts more interesting by embedding the videos ... please let me know how you prefer the posts ... as I know many are emailed to recipients.  

Elevation

CeCe Winans and Terrence Blanchard



Third Day



*Steven Curtis Chapman

*Alan Jackson




Wes Hampton



Shirley Caesar



Aretha Franklin



 **Harpeth Gospel Quartet


Ashford Sanders



LaRue Howard



Albertina Walker-1967



*Jeharna South



piano instrumental hymn



**Tennessee Ernie Ford




BROOKE NICHOLLS



A congregation .... in an Arab country?



South Korea - Gracious Choir



Acappella



JD Sumner & The Stamps  (serious Bass!)



**Glad




***George Beverly Shea - 1965 

Weekly Web Finds - May 26, 2017

HOMESCHOOLING

Build Your Own Bundle Sale   (Hurry - the Bundle Sale is only for 3 more days!)

https://www.buildyourbundle.net

https://www.theoldschoolhouse.com/

9 “Elephants” in Public Schools (and frequently we bring them to our Homeschool)

http://www.creativitypost.com/education/9_elephants_in_the_classroom_that_should_unsettle_us

MINISTRIES And CHRISTIANITY

A post about … how, especially as Christians, we should not judge what God gave to people.  Jasmine is the daughter of the preacher Voddie Bachman(?) … and she talks about how judgmental people can be about the hair God gave black people and how black women wear their hair.  Lessons to be learned on being judgemental of others, whether it's hair, freckles, big feet, or being too tall or too short.

 http://jasminelholmes.com/help-understand-natural-hair

End Time’s Radio and Author Tips =  Husband and Daughter have a radio channel

http://pretribactivist.blogspot.com/2017/03/eagles-nest-broadcasting-is-on-air.html

MARRIAGE and PARENTING

Tool to limit the time your child uses his/her devices …  we are starting a 14 day trial, so far we like it.

http://familytechzone.com/the-one-app-every-parent-needs/

https://screentimelabs.com/

Parenting “Keeping Cool” this summer

https://www.brainbalancecenters.com/blog/2016/06/keep-cool-summer-5-ideas-parenting-breaks/

COOKING AND HOMEMAKING POSTS

Things that might be worth saving up

http://urbansurvivalsite.com/things-you-should-be-hoarding-and-why/

Improvising while camping or traveling or just to save space

https://brightside.me/inspiration-tips-and-tricks/20-brilliant-camping-ideas-that-work-in-any-situation-217355/

I tried this program years ago, and was going along fairly well for about 10 - 12 days.  I don’t remember what happened to throw me off … maybe a sick kid?    Of course, there is always flylady as well.

http://sarahmae.com/31daystoclean/#sthash.xrbNLLX0.R0QTGNRQ.dpbs

Taking care of your cast iron

http://awm.com/i-had-no-idea-this-was-the-only-way-youre-supposed-to-clean-cast-iron-did-you-know-too

HEALTH POSTS

Pre Bed Drink (video)

http://www.thepaleosecret.com/fbfreegift/morningdrinkfb/01/

Caution on Dollar Store and Garage Sale Utensils - especially “Brushes” like for BBQ and basting

http://awm.com/after-her-son-nearly-lost-everything-mom-warns-families-to-throw-out-their-bbq-brushes/

GARDENING AND BUGS AND PESTS

Got Mice?

http://pestcemetery.com/what-is-the-best-bait-for-mouse-traps/

http://how-to-get-rid-of-mice.com/mouse-trap-bait/

http://www.victorpest.com/advice/rodent-library/house-mouse/trap-baits

Got Fleas?

Our best working combination is Borax, Diatomacious Earth, and Flea powder mixed and sprinked on the carpets - we vacuum and re-apply EVERY DAY.  And for the cracks that seem to always hide in… Bengal Spray.  When you stop seeing fleas, vacuum daily for another 2 weeks, then you can usually taper off. http://remedybase2.info/top-6-natural-home-remedies-for-fleas-on-cats-dogs/

http://fleaguide.com/homemade-flea-killer.html

POLITICS  (Sort of) … HISTORY

History of celiac disease and bananas

http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/05/24/529527564/doctors-once-thought-bananas-cured-celiac-disease-it-saved-kids-lives-at-a-cost

Maps of Terrorism

http://www.businessinsider.com/global-terrorist-attacks-past-20-years-in-maps-2017-5

Sumerians and Time

http://www.ancient-origins.net/history/sumerians-looked-heavens-they-invented-system-time-and-we-still-use-it-today-007341

JOBS and FURTHER EDUCATION

MONEY

TECHNOLOGY

Want to catalog your home library?

https://www.collectorz.com/book

JUST AMAZING STUFF

 Dangerous Sea Creature washing up on Shores

http://awm.com/authorities-are-warning-to-stay-away-and-get-help-if-you-spot-one-at-the-beach-this-summer

How about a hand made wooden pen from Australia?  It runs around $40 and if you live in the USA, another $40 to ship it.  But these are BEAUTIFUL!   

https://www.facebook.com/gideon.penturner/

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B06ChdpEzVvsbFE3STl3SnRLNHB4UEFjUDY3dllzX09YbGFz/view 

Weekly Web Finds - May 20, 2017

HOMESCHOOLING

Penn Foster Online High School

https://www.pennfoster.edu/high-school/academics/tuition

Everyone has seen the “must read classics” lists?   While I wouldn’t read many of their alternatives, the article might be a good reference for some considering “best books” for college bound teens.  The descriptions are informative enough that it might help you decide if you even want these books in the hands of your impressionable teen.  

http://www.rd.com/culture/overrated-classic-books/

The big push in school circles (not the unions) is a voucher system for school choice … but not all see it as a good thing … because if the government gives you money, sooner or later, they will start dictating the rules you must follow.  Currently, our homeschool budget is under $500 a year … for everything.  Last year, most of my friends had their kids in public school and posted what it was costing them to send their child to a free school - they averaged $250 per child.  This was offset by frugal parents who found hand me down uniforms, recycled last year supplies, and had watched for sales and just downright saw no need for certain products, and their child required no extra fees for outside activities.  The biggest amount I saw was $2000 for 3 kids, HS boy, JH boy, elementary girl.  Two were in football, one in cheer-leading, all three in band, one in special choir and the other two in beginning choirs requiring a uniform purchase, and the list went on and on.  On top of that were fees for lunch cards and bus passes, special transportation, soccer, baseball, basketball, a special shop class, and a tap dance class.

And people say they can’t afford to homeschool?

http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2017/05/17/homeschool-advocates-betsy-devos-want-left-alone-federal-government/

MINISTRIES And CHRISTIANITY

Matt Walsh argues that pregnancies are not “accidents” because it is the normal result of engaging in *** activities.   They may be unwanted or prevented or unintended.  But God designed the activity to produce a baby … so it is no accident when it works the way God intended.

http://www.theblaze.com/contributions/matt-walsh-there-is-no-such-thing-as-an-accidental-pregnancy/

Does Modesty really matter?

http://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/does-modesty-really-matter-in-the-summer.html

MARRIAGE and PARENTING

Mostly Friendly INFP

http://mostlyfriendlyinfp.blogspot.com/2015/12/the-unstable-quadrants-of-infp-agression.html

Medical Kidnapping

http://medicalkidnap.com/2017/05/11/justina-pelletier-and-medical-kidnapping-4-years-later-has-anything-changed/

This woman learned a lot about her husband and herself by asking him to pick out her clothes for a week.

https://brightside.me/wonder-curiosities/i-let-my-husband-pick-my-outfits-for-a-week-333410/

A 5 point scale designed to help kids help communicate what bother’s them and when they are bothered …. and many have found it a useful classroom tool.

https://www.pinterest.com/explore/5-point-scale/

One factor in the fight for parental rights.  Around 50% of children born to the disabled are removed from their homes on the grounds that it is too hard for them to care for the babies and the the helpers they hire are not allowed to lift even a finger to help.   Just how much extra work are baby clothes added to a load of laundry?  The disabled are often treated as burdens and assumed that they have the mental ability of young children, and many cannot fathom why they might even WANT to have children.  But in the war for parental rights - ALL parent’s rights need to be protected to give children maximum security in life.

http://www.cosmopolitan.com/politics/a9585869/disabled-parents-pregnancy-childbirth/

Places

COOKING AND HOMEMAKING POSTS

 Trash to Treasure Craft Projects for your home.

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/craft-ideas/how-to/g139/genius-upcycling-ideas/

Clever Ways to DIY for parenting

https://www.buzzfeed.com/mikespohr/75-insanely-clever-diys-every-parent-will-wish-they-knew

More DIY Recycling

https://brightside.me/article/100-hacks-for-every-occasion-63755/

Uses for Rubbing Alcohol

http://home.remedydaily.com/2017/04/30/11-health-benefits-of-rubbing-alcohol/

HEALTH POSTS

Vaxxed vs UnVaxxed … http://www.thefamilythathealstogether.com/vaxxed-vs-unvaxxed-are-unvaccinated-children-healthier-than-those-who-are-vaccinated/

Why you can’t see it … even though it is right in front of you?

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/05/160510124822.htm

Dangers of LED lights

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/10/23/near-infrared-led-lighting.aspx

High Frutcose Corn Syrup … natural?

http://www.herbs-info.com/blog/high-fructose-corn-syrup-has-been-renamed-and-is-now-being-marketed-as-a-natural-sweetener/

A rather “deep” article about the correlation between autism, vaccinations, and immigration.

http://www.ageofautism.com/2017/05/autism-vaccination-and-immigrants-yet-another-clear-correlation-an-update-1.html

Dehydration … even if you are drinking plenty of water?  Yes, it is possible.

https://bodyecology.com/articles/dehydrated.php

New advances in slowing and preventing the onset of Alzheimer’s

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2013/11/07/peanut-butter-coconut-oil-alzheimers-detection.aspx

Dangers of sugars - even “healthy” sugars to your health

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2010/04/20/sugar-dangers.aspx

GARDENING AND BUGS AND PESTS

Dangerous “lady bugs”

http://awm.com/you-probably-think-those-are-just-ladybugs-in-your-house-the-truth-is-much-more-dangerous/

Best Fly Trap Ever … but quite stinky

http://awm.com/this-trap-is-cost-nothing-to-make-and-works-better-than-any-store-bought-one-i-ever-tried/

POLITICS  (Sort of) … HISTORY

Would you move to a remote villiage in Italy if cost of housing was a “song”?

http://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/world/2017/05/10/italian-village-offering-2175-cash-and-50-rents-if-you-move-there/101504418/

If you remember that Matt Walsh enjoys writing satire … and staunchly a right wing Christian … his advice to Donald Trump … while very funny as satire …. it is startling to realize, his advice would probably silence the critics against him.  How far downhill our society has gone.  Don’t read if you have no sense of humor, it will just confuse you or make you angry.

http://www.theblaze.com/contributions/matt-walsh-to-silence-his-critics-once-and-for-all-donald-trump-must-come-out-as-a-woman/

JOBS and FURTHER EDUCATION

MONEY

TECHNOLOGY

How to clean your computer

https://brightside.me/inspiration-tips-and-tricks/6-simple-ways-to-remove-dust-and-dirt-from-your-computer-333760/

JUST AMAZING STUFF

Near Perfectly preserved Dinosaur find

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2017/06/dinosaur-nodosaur-fossil-discovery/

Rush Hour … around the world

https://brightside.me/article/what-rush-hour-looks-like-in-different-countries-72505/

Modern slave story - long and sad

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/06/lolas-story/524490/