Friday, January 27, 2012

Homeschool Mother's Journal

I'm linking up with the Homeschool Mother's Journal after a long hiatus.  Stop by and check out what other homeschool moms are up to.
The Homeschool Mother's Journal

In my life this week…  Almost the entire house has been afflicted by sickness.  My boys have been suffering from a horrible cough.  The hubby came back from Canada with bacterial bronchitis and a double ear infection.  I have an annoying cold which has pushed off a fun field trip that I had planned until next week.  Such is the misery of winter.   
In our homeschool this week…  Things are getting back to normal after the Christmas break and then another break for a trip to Canada.  I just ordered a new grammar workbook to supplement what we are currently doing.  I keep wondering if we are doing enough grammar.  And I have come to realize that B is a horrible speller.  I must work on this... If he spells there, their, they're wrong one more time, I may explode.  I also just scheduled his standardized test for this year.  In PA he has to take one in 5th grade.  I need to stop worrying about it but I know there is spelling on the test ... they might even ask him to spell there, their or they're.  But I keep reminding myself that they won't make him go back to public school for atrocious spelling.  After all, that is where he was taught for the first five years, right?
Helpful homeschooling tips or advice to share…  I've got nothing ... I am a newbie remember?  Although, I think I would advise everyone to not stress over standardized tests ...
Places we’re going and people we’re seeing…  The boys all went to Canada for a hockey tournament last weekend.  They had so much fun!  You know you are a hockey family when the kids always wanted to go to Canada.  They won the regional hockey tournament and the trip to Canada was for the finals.  They did well and ended up with 1-1-1 record.  I think they ended up 6th out of 16 teams.  I am so proud of them! :-)  And E and I got to spend some quality girl time.  We went shopping, saw a movie, went to dinner.  And my bed was overtaken by E and 40 of her favorite stuffed animals while the boys where away.  Add the two dogs and I am surprised that I slept at all! 
My favorite thing this week was… B is making an anatomy board game today and he has been really creative with it.  I love to see what he comes up with. 
Questions/thoughts I have…  Am I doing enough grammar?  How do I know that he's learning proper grammar and writing skills? 
I’m reading…  Way too many things at once.  I am trying to get done two books that I started so that I can start a book called The Resolution for Women.  The hubby is going to read The Resolution for Men.  They are both by the people who created the movie Courageous.  We are going to watch this movie this weekend and I am looking forward to it.
I’m cooking…  Nothing recently.  I did make chicken soup at the beginning of the week since everyone was under the weather but that has been the extent of it.  I need to get back to cooking!
I’m grateful for…  The opportunity to homeschool my kids!!
I’m praying for…  A dear friend who will be giving birth to a baby girl any day now.  Can't wait to meet her!  :-)
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4 comments:

  1. Grammar...such an abstract subject. It is best taught when taught in the context of Writing. Why we are taught the two separately I have no idea. Have him copy sections (how much depends on age of course...my youngest only copies 3 or 4 lines a day)...this is how our founding fathers learned to write. By reading good literature and seeing proper grammar used...and by writing good literature with proper grammar. Don't sweat it too much. :-)

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  2. Sorry...that should have read "Have him copy sections of good Literature"...whatever you do, don't have him copy my comment. ;-)

    Here are a couple of good resources: http://www.amblesideonline.org/Copywork.shtml

    We used quotes, pieces from good books, and passages in the Bible.

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    1. Talysa - Thanks for the website! I recently switched from doing dictation to more copywork. He just did the beginning of the Declaration of Inependence today actually. That website will be a great resource! :-)

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  3. Sorry to hear you have been under the weather. That's never fun.

    Grammar was a subject that took us a few tries to find what worked best with us. When we found the right one we LOVED it. And now we just found out that the company is not going to be publishing the next level so we're back on the hunt again. Sigh...

    Popping in from HMJ>

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