Proud Momma

I recently purchased a Singapore Math word problem book to supplement our math.  We don't do it everyday but I thought that it would be great practice and B sometimes struggles with logic and word problems.  We are doing Singapore Math 5B and I ordered the level 5 word problem book not realizing that it is for 6th grade.  The word problems are difficult for him but we do them together.

Today the word problem was best done with a little Algebra.  I started to explain to B how to do it with an easy Algebra equation.  At first he was confused but when he got it .... he got it!  He actually said "that is fun can we do another one?"   I wanted to jump up and do a little dance while cheering but I didn't want to spook him.  So I  calmly said, "Sure."  and wrote 5 easy algebra equations on the whiteboard for him which he excitedly did quickly and correctly!!  I love that I get to share these moments with my son! :-)

Algebra was a favorite subject of mine so I am such a proud momma!! 

Mathematics is the language which God has written the universe. 
- Galileo Galilei

Constitution 101

I am so excited to be taking a class of my own for the next 10 weeks!  Hillsdale College is offering Constitution 101 "The Meaning and History of the Constitution" free of charge (although they do suggest a donation to cover costs).  The class is online and started yesterday.  Each lecture is about 40 minutes and is taught by professors that teach the course at the college.  It is a course that Hillsdale College students are required to take.  I have wanted to teach B about the Constitution and now I will be much more confident when I do!  What a perfect time to get a refresher course!  :-)

If you haven't heard about Hillsdale College ...  It is a small, independent (they do not accept federal or state taxpayer subsidies for any of their operations - yes, it can be done!)  college in southern Michigan.  I did not go there, nor did anyone that I know.  We receive their free monthly newsletter called Imprimis and that is how I found out about the course.

If you are interested, it is not too late to sign up for the course! 
Check out the website:
http://constitution.hillsdale.edu/

National Civil War Museum

We've finally gotten over the winter illnesses and we got to take our first field trip!  What better way to spend a cold February morning.  We are learning about the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln and we happen to have a great Civil War museum 20 minutes away.  B is really interested in history and especially the Civil War, Revolutionary War, WWI, WWII, Vietnam War ... ok, so he is interested in anything military. 

The National Civil War museum was nice.  The building is beautiful and it was really easy to find our way around.  It was not crowded on a Thursday morning and it only took us about 1 1/2 hours to walk through the entire museum.  I loved all of the old artifacts.  There is something really cool about seeing Robert E. Lee's Bible and Abraham Lincoln's hat box.  Not to mention the weapons, medical kits, uniforms and other paraphernalia used by men in the war.  B loved all of the dioramas of the different battles.  It was right up his alley.  We are hoping to make it to Gettysburg and Valley Forge when it gets a little nicer out.  This is one of the benefits of living in PA.  Lots of local history to explore!

B also completely a project on the Vietnam War last week.  I let him choose the subject matter and  also what type of project he wanted to do.  My only input was the paper.  I wanted him to write a paper (outline, first copy, rewrite, final draft) and he chose to do a clay diorama and poster board.  I am really proud of the work that he put into this project! 

All in all a fun start to February!  I just calculated that we are on day 111 of school today.  In PA we have to account for 180 days per school year.  We are on pace to finish the school year (hopefully) at the end of May.  We'll see what happens!

Hope that everyone had a happy Valentine's Day! (-:

The Science of NHL Hockey

So, if you are a hockey fan you may know that the NHL All-Star game and skills competition was this past weekend.  In our house it is bigger than the superbowl.  While watching this weekend, there was a commercial for the "Science of NHL Hockey".  They are free videos online and soon to be released lesson plans!  Imagine my excitement!!!  :-)  I immediately looked them up online and watched the first video.  They are definitely above my 5th graders head (they talk about vectors, statistics and averages, kinematics) but I figure that if he is interested in watching them .... we can make some use of them.  The lesson plans are not available yet and are supposed to be available soon.  If you are interested, check out the website  http://www.nbclearn.com/portal/site/learn/science-of-nhl-hockey

If you are not hockey fans like us, they also offer Science of NFL football, Olympic Games, Changing Planet ... just to mention a few. 

Brother congratulating brother after a goal.  Love this picture.

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.

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!  :-)

Happy New Year!

So, I have been away from the computer celebrating the holidays with my family for the past two weeks.  It was wonderful but way too short.  My youngest two are still in public school and they barely had a break.  They had a half day on the 23rd and then they where supposed to be back in school today!!  Way too short!!  We decided to keep them home today so we could enjoy one last day together.  I can't wait until next year when we will determine our own schedule! 

I am really excited to get back to school!  B will be starting Singapore 5B this week and we only have about three weeks left of Teaching Textbooks 5.  We are ahead of schedule! :-)  Even after having an extremely light end of the year ... I counted baking cookies as our math class one day ... there are fractions ya know!  And I didn't want to start the new Singapore book before the break. 

I can't believe that it is already January!

Happy New Year from my family to yours!

Merry Christmas!

I have way too much fun with this every year ...

http://elfyourself.jibjab.com/view/GQtwKEnhyYbACoGl?cmpid=ey_url

Merry Christmas!!  :-)