TV Station Pix

We visited a local PBS station on Tuesday. The staff gave us a very detailed tour that was about 90 minutes long. We saw one of the recording studios and got to be on the monitor. We saw the video editing room, the new computer servers, the way the floor tiles come up to show all the cables underneath, the control room, and the room where the staff controls what goes on air. The kids got several opportunities to try hands-on things. EXCELLENT field trip.

MUS - What a Blessing You Turned Out to Be

This may seem odd when taken in the light of yesterday's post. But I DO love Math-U-See even if one of my children has such a difficult time. But this is a very cute video! Check it out!



Then if you're like me, your children came along and watched that behind you. (Music on the computer seems to be like a bell to Pavlov's dogs - they come right away!)

But your children, like mine, may not be too familiar with the original song to that tune (Yesterday - Paul McCartney/The Beatles), so here's that song too.

Math Problems, REAL problems

There is whining here.

Much whining and crying and complaining.

Here is a sampling. Maybe this sounds familiar. I'm not identifying the child. :-)

Child: Why is this math so hard?!?!?!

Dad responds calmly, asking the math question and pointing something out.
Child: Noooooo, it isn't! Why doesn't this eraser work RIGHT!

A little later:

Child, in sarcastic tone: Oh, even HARDER work. I'll never get this problem done.
Dad walks child through math problem.

Child: Sto----ooop! What am I supposed to write???
Sniffles and sobs ensue.

A little later:

Child: I'm getting annoyed!

Dad, quietly: Well, you ain't the only one.

Child: This is getting annoying.

Dad explains a problem.

Child: WHAT!!!! This is not making any sense. Oh this is hard for me! (crying) My brain's not open! It's not open for this kind of math! (crying)

Dad continues explaining.
What's wrong with this math? It's telling us to do a lot of stupid math work.
This is hard. (crying) Now let's go to problem 5.

A bit later:
Child: Oh, this is painful. I don't see anything! Where is the number?! You're not helping! You're just sitting here telling me the problems. This is hard! This is the hardest math I've ever tried!

Me: Child, you need to take a break. Why don't you take a break?
Child: NO! I'd just have to do it later.
Me: Well, that's true.
Child: I want to get it done! This is giving me a headache. This math is giving me a headache.

Dad explains;
Child: I didn't hear what you just said! I want to get done with all my school! (hits book) Why is it so hard?

Me (takes book): That's enough for now. Go get a drink and take a break.
Child (walks into kitchen crying): I don't want to do any more right now! Too much work! Too much work! It's too much work!

Oh, that's enough for you to get the picture, isn't it? Am I the only one who has a child that does this???

And for those that don't know me well, rest assured that the math is NOT too hard and that the child only has to do one math page a day like the other children.

And for you that think our family has it all together, like one of the cover families on a magazine, sorry to burst your bubble. lol

Simple Woman Daybook - October 27

For Today... October 27, 2008

Outside my Window... .Wet pavement and puddles showing raindrops, drifts of wet golden leaves, our empty recycling bin, jack-o-lanterns on the neighbors porch, the other neighbor's deflated huge pumpkin, another neighbor walking by wearing a pink coat.

I am thinking... we need to find some affordable pumpkins since Bob's brother didn't grow them this year.

From the learning rooms... working in our NaNoWriMo workbooks this week to prepare for our novel writing. Also Colonial House (PBS) DVD's to enhance David's learning for Sonlight 100.

I am thankful for... Math-U-See

From the kitchen... well....... not much. There is a bag of dry beans laying on the counter! lol

I am wearing... Black stretchy shirt with 3/4 sleeves and some kind of flower applique, pale yellow tank top, jeans, black socks, white house shoes, grey zipper hoodie, yeah - no makeup, hair in a barrette

I am reading... The Bible (Psalms) and nothing else yet. I finished Northanger Abbey on Friday and haven't chosen another book yet, although there are certainly many choices available! I might try to read my OVERDUE Artemis Fowl book today.

I am hoping... I get a GREAT NaNoWriMo idea very soon!

I am creating... a month's worth of everything that I can do ahead of time (see below).

I am hearing... a political message being recorded on my answering machine. Does anyone really listen to those calls!? How much more annoying can the politicians be?

Around the house... we got out the winter gear this week and sorted through that. Also sorted blankets and made sure everyone had proper cold weather bedding. Sorted girls' tights. (why oh why do most of them NOT have sizes in them?) Freecycled a bunch of stuff. Have some coats and snowpants to donate to a charity. Still have piles of sale stuff that I'd like to list online this week. We'll see. That's always the thing that doesn't happen.

One of my favorite things... my very favorite youtube video. OK, I'm a geek, but I am a geek with a soft spot for Regency-era heroes. :-D

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... regular lessons M, W, R, F, a field trip to a TV station on Tuesday, service project raking leaves on Tuesday, older 3 have art class on Wed afternoon, Harvest Party at church Wed night (no Financial Peace class this week), Trick-or-treating Friday night. NO SOCCER on Saturday! Soccer is DONE!!!! NaNoWriMo begins on Saturday!

This week I will be getting ready for NaNoWriMo by outlining my novel (if I have a good idea soon), cleaning, doing lesson plans for the whole month of November, listing sale stuff, planning my two co-op classes for both Nov. sessions, and also my Sunday School lessons.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
My father-in-law, my husband, and my youngest daughter at our hayride (see the wagon) and cookout out at the family farm.

Weekly Review - Eighth Week

Bible
We did a lot better with Bible this week. Any late starts did not affect our Bible time - we just did it anyway. We read all of Galatians (6 chapters) and the last part of Chapter 1 of Making Brothers and Sister Best Friends. (We are going very slowly through it this time, in hopes of being able to implement some of the techniques.)

We also continued singing our October songs - The Old Rugged Cross and Great and Mighty is He.

Math
David did Test 27 and started Lesson 28 (which is military time - easy!!) in Math-U-See Pre-Algebra.
Emily worked on Lesson 23 in Gamma and it's a hard concept - double digit multiplication (2 digits top and bottom).
James worked on Lesson 8 in Gamma
Suzy finished Lesson 9 in Alpha (I think).

Language Arts - Literature and Reading
David is reading The Landing of the Pilgrims for Literature. Emily read several chapters in Anne of Green Gables and answered oral comprehension questions. James is reading The Story of Ships (an Usborne book). Suzy worked in Phonics Pathways, reviewing short vowels. All the children did silent reading every day (their choice of books).

We finished reading aloud The Family Under the Bridge. I'd recommend it as a good Christmas read-aloud, if you're looking for a short book for that. (Not a Christian novel, but a good discussion starter.)

Language Arts - Writing
David and Emily did Lessons 2-3 in IEW SWI-B Lesson 7 DVD. All the children wrote in their Communication Journals and wrote a letter. James and Suzy did 2 penmanship pages.

Language Arts - Other
David and Emily did three pages in Easy Grammar - prepositions still. They also did 4 days of Spelling lessons. Suzy did 8 pages in Explode the Code 2. James found his Explode the Code so he also did 8 pages.

Science
David took the test for Module 2 of Apologia Physical Science and began Module 3. He does this study almost completely independently, but he called me in to watch one really cool experiment where he created a vacuum.
Emily, James and Suzanne didn't do Science this week

History
David worked on History of US Book 2 - read Chapters 5-16 and did the mapwork for those pages.
The younger children learned about Vesuvius and Pompeii, Masada (Israel), and the Dead Sea Scrolls. They made their own "ancient" documents and erupted volcanoes in the backyard. They added these events to our cumulative timeline.

Other activities
All the children did Creativity Express art appreciation software for 30 minutes. David finished the program. (It was supposed to last all year!!!) All worked on typing instruction one day as well (Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing). Suzy had her last soccer practice. James' practices were cancelled. They both had their last soccer game. James scored a goal!!! David assisted with soccer practice and refereed one game.

We attended our homeschool co-op on Friday. I could type out all those activities, but, well, I don't wanna! lol

Next week will be our 9th week of lessons. In traditional school, nine weeks is often a marking period. So that's really a good time for us to change focus. November is going to be writing month here at Cornerstone Academy, as I've mentioned. We will keep doing Math and Content Area subjects.

After November, we'll take the first two or three weeks of December for "Christmas School". (Stay tuned for details.) Then we'll have a two or three week break from formal lessons. That's another 8 or 9 weeks and then January will be a great time to transition back into "normal" lessons.

Don't look for a lot here during NaNoWriMo, though! From November 1-30, my focus will be on writing my novel. I am aiming for 75K this year! Can I do it??? Well, not if I blog as much as I normally do! lol

Eruption!

[NOTE - Michele asked where David was during this activity. He is doing a different history text this year, so he usually doesn't participate with the other kids on their history. If it strikes his fancy, he may do the activity. He's usually in the room listening to me read the MOH lesson aloud, so he does get the info. But, his Sonlight U.S. history keeps him plenty occupied!]

As part of our Mystery of History 2 studies, today we erupted volcanoes in the backyard. We were studying Pompeii and Mt. Vesuvius. The kids buried bottles containing baking soda, red food coloring, and dish soap. Then they poured in vinegar and WOW! An eruption!!!

I found a cool website to enhance our learning.

Pompeii: Unraveling Ancient Mysteries (Harcourt)

Also, just a warning - lots of extremely inappropriate pictures were painted on walls in Pompeii. If you just google image-search "Pompeii", you'll probably want to preview the results. A word to the wise!

Simple Woman Daybook - October 20

For Today... October 20, 2008

Outside my Window... Scattered yellow and brown leaves over green grass and rain-wet pavement. Overcast skies. Lots of trees still have green leaves, but they are changing to autumn colors.

I am thinking... my younger daughter needs to learn to talk politely.

From the learning rooms... Taking Rummy Roots out of the lesson plans this week, as the kids fight too much while playing. I suppose I could play too, but.... time is of the essence!

I am thankful for... a working furnace, a lovely yellow coat of paint, healthy children, and so much more!

From the kitchen... Homemade brownies.

I am wearing... Jeans, navy t-shirt that says "Power Corrupts. (But Absolute Power is Kinda Neat.)", green flannel shirt unbuttoned, white socks, brown leather shoes, hair in a clip, no makeup.

I am reading... Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen; I am on Chapter 15. I have several library books to choose from after that. Also reading in the Psalms (version - The Message).

I am hoping... to hear some good news - any kind - this week.

I am creating... a more peaceful and pleasant home environment - cleaning, organizing, and working on attitudes.

I am hearing... Squeaky wooden chair, Suzy: "Is 9 + 8, 17?". David joking around, Bob closing cupboard doors. Pages turning.

Around the house... piles of toys from the girls' room, crates of stuff for sale, and laundry to be folded.

One of my favorite things... surprise visits from family!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... A Busy Week! Lessons Mon-Thurs, of course. Monday night - Writing curriculum meeting. Tues night - Girls have Keepers at Home meeting & James has soccer. Wed night - Church. Thurs night - LAST SOCCER PRACTICES!, Friday is co-op. Emily is going to a sleepover Fri night. Sat AM 10:30 soccer games (LAST GAMES!). Trick-or-treating in a local city. James has a birthday party Saturday afternoon. I have my book club Sat night. Yikes! I also have a lot of cleaning and organizing to do, thinking about NaNoWriMo, and WRITING too.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
My hands were all painty and I noticed that the car was in danger of getting paint spots, so I asked DAVID to back the car up out of the way. He'd never done it before, but he did great. Then when it needed to be moved back (and my hands were clean), I snapped a photo of him driving. My son. Driving. (He is only 13, so he won't be actually driving anywhere beyond our driveway anytime soon.)

Weekly Review - Seventh Week

OK, I think I'll try the weekly review in a different format, just to shake things up.

Bible
We fell apart on Bible this week. We got late starts every day, and despite my best intentions, we only did Bible twice. We read 1 Corinthians 10-13, practiced our hymn and praise song, and did family prayer on those days. I still have not instituted Bible memory, but I would like to.

Math
David did 5 lessons in Lesson 27 in Math-U-See Pre-Algebra. He's nearly to the end!
Emily only has 5 multiplication facts that still give her trouble! GO Emily! She did 4 pages in Gamma Lesson 22 and I think she did Test 22.
James finished Lesson 7 in Gamma and began Lesson 8.
Suzy finished Alpha Lesson 8 and began Lesson 9.

Language Arts - Literature and Reading
David finished the Sonlight book Stink Alley, answered comprehension questions, and wrote a short report on the setting (England and Holland in the early 1600's). Emily read several chapters in Anne of Green Gables and wrote answers to comprehension questions, as well as definitions for vocabulary words. James finished the Gold Fever book and started The Story of Ships. Suzy avoided reading any Bob books. lol All the children did silent reading every day (their choice of books).

Our new read-aloud is The Family Under the Bridge and we read several chapters from that.

Language Arts - Writing
David and Emily watched the IEW SWI-B Lesson 7 DVD and did Assignment 1. All the children wrote in their Communication Journals and wrote a get-well card for their uncle who was in an accident. James and Suzy did 2 penmanship pages.

Language Arts - Other
David and Emily did two pages in Easy Grammar - prepositions still. They also did 4 days of Spelling lessons. (James will begin Spelling in January. He is ready.) Suzy did 8 pages in Explode the Code 2. James lost his workbook, so he did only 4 pages. I printed him off 2 worksheets from the internet on compound words. Suzy completed a few pages in her ABC Journal.

Science
David was to have finished Module 2 of Apologia Physical Science and done the Study Guide, but I haven't gone over that with him yet.
Emily, James and Suzanne started the insect unit of Apologia Flying Creatures and did a couple insect experiments.

History
David finished History of US Book 1 and did all the map work for that book. He began Book 2 - read Chapters 1-4 and did the mapwork for those pages.
The younger children did not do History this week.

Other activities
All the children did Creativity Express art appreciation software for 30 minutes and typing instruction one day. James and Suzy had soccer practice and a soccer game. David assisted with soccer practice and refereed one game.

We'll be doing one more regular week of school before NaNo. The last week of October we will be doing some preparatory work instead of some of our Language Arts lessons. November 1st we will begin our novel writing!

NaNoWriMo - for KIDS????

Since I plan to participate in National Novel Writing Month (NaNoWriMo) again this November, I thought I'd give my children the option to participate as well.

I need as much time as possible to write my own novel in November and I know that writing will be all-encompassing for my kids as well. So, I decided to give them two options for November.

1 - Do their regular lessons.
2 - Replace their Language Arts lessons with writing a book.

When presented with these choices, all of them chose option 2. Whew! That makes things MUCH EASIER for Mom!

(Language Arts here includes: Spelling Power, Explode the Code, reading, literature study, dictionary work, vocabulary study, letter writing, journal writing, and IEW (Institute for Excellence in Writing) writing. Maybe something else I've forgotten....)

Now, keep in mind, my kids are ages 6, 8, 11, and 13. Last year my 13-year-old (at age 12) wrote his first book. (That's him in the photo, with his book. I had it typed and spiral bound for him. He was THRILLED!)

It wasn't 50,000 words - just 7,000. I recognize that as quite an accomplishment for anyone, especially a twelve-year-old. I have a few friends who didn't write that much on their NaNoNovels. My other kids didn't complete their goals. But this year, I'll be better prepared.

NaNoWriMo has a Young Writers Program. The students get to choose their own goals. There are also some great helps available on their website.

• Workbooks as .pdf downloads - Elementary, Middle School or High School versions. (I think we'll be using these!)
• Incentive Kits (I've put in an order for a kit for our homeschool group, so if your child is part of SOF and plans to write, let me know. Maybe I'll have a Novelist button for your student.)
• Young Writers T-shirts - a little pricy, but I will likely buy them for my kids, if they meet their goals.
• Certificates

Let me know if your child will be participating! Or YOU!? Are you writing a NaNoNovel this November? I'd love to be your NaNoBuddy. Leave me a comment, or message me on the NaNo website. My profile is HERE.

Try-It Tuesday - Interlibrary Loan & Online Library Services

You know that book you've been wanting to read? The one your library doesn't own? The one you're not sure you want to spend the money on? Another library probably owns it. You can get it! Free! The answer is interlibrary loan.

Interlibrary loan allows you to borrow books (and sometimes other items, like DVD's) from other libraries with whom your library has agreements. You can usually search and reserve these online. Sometimes if the regular library co-operative doesn't own the item, my friendly librarian will find it from somewhere else for me.

We have borrowed a great number of library items this way. What fun it is to get the call from the library that they are holding an item for me! It also benefits the library by increasing their circulation numbers and they like that.

If you already use the online components of your library, you probably agree with me. If you haven't tried signing into your library system online, give it a try right away. Interlibrary loan is my favorite part of my library's online system, but it isn't the only one.

You can check your account to see what's due. You can renew your items online. Some libraries offer reference items or computer programs as part of their online offerings.

Online library systems are the icing on the cake. If you're not sure what your library offers, go check it out right now!

Simple Woman Daybook - October 13

For Today... October 13, 2008

Outside my Window... It's sunny and lovely, probably one of the best days we'll see this fall. A few colored leaves are scattered on the ground. I hear someone mowing. Bob is outside painting the house. (I can't see him.)

I am thinking... about the plot possibilities for my NaNoNovel. NaNoWriMo begins Nov. 1st!

From the learning rooms... Nothing new this week. I guess that means we've made it into a routine!

I am thankful for... finishing my ancient Egyptian story!

From the kitchen... Well, not much happening in there. LOL I need to go order Angel Food today and also go to the grocery store.

I am wearing... my NaNoWriMo t-shirt, jeans, black socks, no makeup, hair down (and yes, it's combed!)

I am reading... finally almost done with A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. I am really enjoying it, but it's not a light read. I need to read Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen during the next two weeks for my book club and I am really looking forward to that.

I am hoping... that Harlequin buys my story! Please pray that they do!

I am creating... a yellow exterior on my house. (OK, that's stretching it, eh? But that's all I am creating right now. I did paint on it 2 hours yesterday.)

I am hearing... A back-up alarm on a truck, David making some noise, James moving around and making his chair squeak, the girls upstairs trying to get their room clean.

Around the house... The girls are grounded until their room meets my standards. That means NOTHING until it's clean - oh, they can eat. That's about it. The boys were too, but they're far better at getting it cleaned up and they finished theirs yesterday. David was invited to a laser tag birthday party so he was also quite motivated.

One of my favorite things... connecting with old (and new!) friends on facebook. Are you on facebook? I'd love to be your facebook friend!

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... It's a normal week - nothing extra. Soccer, church activities, lessons, I hear there's a potluck at church on Sunday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...
David made a Halo3 helmet and weapon with cardboard and duct tape. Suzy models it for you here.















Yeah, we're not one of those "no play guns" families. :-)

Oh yeah, and on the floor? The huge pile of books that someone got out, perused briefly and then LEFT THERE.

Heart of the Matter - Educational Freebies

Every Friday, the Heart of the Matter Online features a different meme topic. This week's question was: What great educational freebie sites do you frequently visit? What sites do you visit that bring you inspiration, education and new ideas? Share your ‘great finds’ with others this week!

Well, I sure do a lot online! Here are some of my most-used sites that offer something FREE to enhance our home learning experience.

Donna Young - This web site offers free homeschool planners, school calendars, household planners, printables in various subjects, and homeschool planning tips. Also, don't miss the Apologia lesson plans!

Math-U-See Drill page - Offers basic math facts drill - simple and timed.

CurrClick - sells ebooks and offers a free ebook every week. Subscribe to the newsletter to find out each week's book.

Bible Lessons and Coloring Sheets - This site offers lessons and printables (puzzles and coloring pages) that covers just about the entire Bible. Also available in Spanish.

Literature Guides - Nancy Pollette offers literature guides for picture books and novels.

Starfall - Reading comprehension and phonics

Print Materials - A huge collection of links to free printables - math worksheets, math flashcards, spelling worksheets, shape books, handwriting pages, maps, certificates, worksheets for every subject, assessment tools, forms, charts, calendars, lesson planning helps, and more!

There are LOTS of things out there to enhance your home learning. My all-time favorite is GOOGLE. Whatever you need, GOOGLE IT!

No More Newt

James' newt died this week. Yeah, that's a lesson too - things die.

We do have to get another because he has to take it in to the class on Oct 24 and tell about it.

Weekly Review - Sixth Week

Here is the report from our 6th week of lessons.

All the kids:

• Practiced our hymn (The Old Rugged Cross) and praise chorus (Great and Mighty is He)
  
• Family prayer several days
  
• Read and discussed 2 Corinthians 7-9
• Read a few pages aloud from Making Brothers and Sisters Best Friends
  
• Finished our read-aloud: Spiderweb for Two: A Melendy Maze by Elizabeth Enright (will finish NEXT week)
• Started our new read-aloud: The Family Under the Bridge by Natalie Savage Carlson
  
• Read one letter from Mom and wrote one letter back (in Communication Journals)
• Worked for 30 minutes or so each on Creativity Express art history software
• Worked for 15-30 minutes each on Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing
• Played Rummy Roots
• Did silent reading for 30 minutes (or more) 3 or 4 days
• Wrote a letter to a friend or family member (I think they did this)
• Went to homeschool co-op on Friday
  

David - 13yo/8th grade:

• Did Math-U-See Pre-Algebra - Lesson 26 - 2 pages, Test 26 and Honors Lesson 26
  
• 2 pages on prepositions in Easy Grammar Plus
  
• 2 days spelling study (Spelling Power Level F)
• IEW SWI-B lessons Week 6 - Assignments 2 & 3
  
• Read the History of US Volume 1 (Hakim) chapters 23-33 and discussed (or wrote answers)
  
• Helped coach Suzy's team and refereed 1 U8 soccer game and 1 U10 soccer game
  
• Read Stink Alley (by Jamie Gilson) chapters 5-12; answered oral and written questions
  
• Apologia Physical Science - read pages 27-43 and did 2 experiments
  

Emily - 11yo/6th grade:

• Worked on multiplication facts with flashcards - knows almost all of them now.
• Lesson 21 in Math-U-See Gamma - did 2 pages and test 21.
  
• Started Lesson 22 in Gamma, did 22A
  
• 2 pages on prepositions in Easy Grammar Plus
  
• 2 days spelling study (Spelling Power Level F)
• IEW SWI-B lessons Week 6 - Assignments 2 & 3
• Started reading Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery - Chapters 1-4 and questions
  
• Mystery of History 2 - lessons on Nero, Christian martyrs, and Josephus. Added them to timeline.
  

James 8yo/3rd/4th grade:

• Math-U-See Gamma - Lesson 7 DVD and pages 7A, 7B, 7C, 7D
  
• Finished the book on Bears
• Started the book Gold Fever
  
• Wrote in literature journal - two sentences about each day's reading.
• Explode the Code 5 - 2 pages each day
• Penmanship - Cursive E and F
  
• Went to 2 soccer practices and played one soccer game
• Mystery of History 2 - lessons on Nero, Christian martyrs, and Josephus. Added them to timeline.

Suzy - 6yo/1st grade:

• Math-U-See Alpha - 4 pages in Lesson 7
  
• Practice learning sight words by playing the Sight Words with Samson online game
  
• Explode the Code Book 2 - 2 pages each day (consonant blends)
• Went to one soccer practice and played one soccer game
  
• Read 2 Bob Books
• 2 pages of penmanship
• 4 pages of her "ABC Journal"
• Mystery of History 2 - lessons on Nero, Christian martyrs, and Josephus. Added them to timeline.

Simple Woman Daybook - October 6

For Today... October 6, 2008

Outside my Window... The DPW guys were working on the storm drain. There is a corn cob on a "squirrel" feeder (is it a bird feeder??) and the yard is pretty neat. Just a few autumn leaves are laying about the yard.

I am thinking... about when I will squeeze in a trip to the grocery store and how much I can spend there.

From the learning rooms... I thought I had Suzy's next phonics workbook (Alphabet Island 2-A), but I can't find it anywhere! So, I have to order it, I guess. And I found a huge package of manila drawing paper that I bought over the summer and forgot I had!

I am thankful for... the opportunity I had this weekend to scrapbook with some wonderful women in a huge "cottage" that was loaned to us free-of-charge. Not only that, it was on a LAKE.

From the kitchen... A sticky floor and an empty cupboard.

I am wearing... Long-sleeved grey t-shirt with Western Michigan Broncos on it and their logo, dirty jeans, white socks, black fleece-lined slippers, and my hair stuck up in a clip. No makeup - yeah, it's Monday.

I am reading... still A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. It's good, but I just haven't had much time to sit and read. I still haven't started Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen. I have the newest Artemis Fowl book by Eoin Colfer waiting here still as well as several other library books. Gracious! I need to get reading!

I am hoping... to finish editing my short story today and submit it tomorrow.

I am creating... 51 scrapbook pages! (well, they're all created already - except for a couple photos that still need printed)

I am hearing... Annoyed voices. Microwave going.

Around the house... the furnace is not working properly, so Bob is on a mission to get that running right. It's COLD!

One of my favorite things... Clean floors (too bad that doesn't happen very often!)

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week... Keepers At Home meeting for the girls, Pioneer Club for kids, Financial Peace University for me and Bob, soccer practices & games, Co-op, Picture Day - just a normal week for the most part.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you...

Weekly Review - Fifth Week

Here is the report from our 5th week of lessons. Again a four day week. They had a fall break on Friday since their teacher was on vacation. :-)

All the kids:

• Practiced our NEW hymn (The Old Rugged Cross) and NEW praise chorus (Great and Mighty is He)
  
• Family prayer each day
• Read and discussed Acts 19:20-20:2 and 2 Corinthians 1-6
  
• Listened to a couple chapters from our read-aloud: Spiderweb for Two: A Melendy Maze by Elizabeth Enright (will finish NEXT week)
  
• Read one letter from Mom and wrote one letter back (in Communication Journals)
• Worked for 30 minutes or so each on Creativity Express art history software
• Worked for 15-30 minutes each on Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing
• Played Rummy Roots
• Did silent reading for 30 minutes (or more) 4 days
• Wrote a letter to a friend or family member
• Went to monthly art class (3 hours) (NOT SUZY)
  

David - 13yo/8th grade:

• Did Math-U-See Pre-Algebra - Lesson 26 - 4 pages
  
• 2 pages on prepositions in Easy Grammar Plus
  
• 4 days spelling study (Spelling Power Level F)
• IEW SWI-B lessons Week 6 - Watched DVD lesson and did Assignment 1
• Read the History of US Volume 1 (Hakim) chapters 16-22 and discussed
  
• Refereed 1 U8 soccer game
  
• Read Cameron Townsend Chapters 18-20 (finished book!)
• Wrote character sketch of Cameron Townsend
  
• Apologia Physical Science - finished Module 1 and took the test
  

Emily - 11yo/6th grade:

• Worked on multiplication facts with flashcards - knows almost all of them now.
• Started Lesson 21 in Math-U-See Gamma - did 4 pages
  
• 2 pages on prepositions in Easy Grammar Plus
• 4 days spelling study (Spelling Power Level F)
• IEW SWI-B lessons Week 6 - Watched DVD lesson and did Assignment 1
  
• Finished Sarah, Plain and Tall and did the questions and vocab for each chapter.
  
• Watched video of Sarah, Plain and Tall
  
• Apologia Zoology 1 - learned about instinct, extinction, camouflage and
  
• Did a Nature Scavenger Hunt

James 8yo/3rd/4th grade:

• Math-U-See Gamma - 3 pages in Lesson 6 and the Lesson 6 test
  
• Finished the book on volcanoes and looked up videos of volcanoes (and tornadoes) on youtube
• Started a book on Bears
  
• Wrote in literature journal - two sentences about each day's reading.
• Explode the Code 5 - 2 pages each day
• Penmanship - Cursive C and D
  
• Went to soccer practice and played one soccer game
• Apologia Zoology 1 - learned about instinct, extinction, camouflage and
  
• Did a Nature Scavenger Hunt
  
• Helped Suzy learn her sight words
  

Suzy - 6yo/1st grade:

• Math-U-See Alpha - 4 pages in Lesson 7
  
• Alphabet Island - 4 phonics lessons on short vowel words (Finished the workbook!)
  
• Practice learning sight words by playing Climb the Mountain with James and by playing the Sight Words with Samson online game
  
• Explode the Code Book 2 - 2 pages each day (consonant blends)
• Played one soccer game
  
• Apologia Zoology 1 - learned about instinct, extinction, camouflage and
  
• Did a Nature Scavenger Hunt
  
• Read 3 Bob Books
• 2 pages of penmanship
• 4 pages of her "ABC Journal"

IF MY KIDS WRITE YOU A LETTER, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE WRITE BACK!
There is nothing more discouraging than writing letter after letter and not getting ANY responses!

Art Class

Art class happens once a month with Mr. West of Christian Art for Kids. He teaches the students step by step how to create a specific drawing, using skills that are transferable to drawing in general.

He calls the whole class up to his table to demonstrate the steps and techniques, then the kids go back and do it themselves. He also shows the steps on a whiteboard. After each child has completed the step, he brings it up to Mr. West for inspection. Usually he gives some very short encouraging statement to each child each time they come up. Lots of positive reinforcement and no one falls through the cracks.

I think the best parts of the class, however, are when Mr. West shares his stories and personal testimonies. He always guides the kids (and parents) to look to the Lord and always has a word of praise or encouragement!

David is on his third year with Mr. West, if I recall correctly. Emily is on her second year, and today was James's first class.

Their finished drawings from today (completed entirely in class) are below. Can you guess whose is whose?